In the rich world of Japanese expressions, there are many kanji characters. Among them, the kanji “舗(ho)” stands out with its presence rooted in our daily lives. From street corner shops to information hubs, the places associated with the character “舗(ho)” are countless. In this article, we will focus on the kanji “舗(ho)”, detailing its origin, meaning, usage, and even the idioms and phrases that include it.
Origin of 舗(ho)
The origin of the kanji “舗(ho)” dates back to ancient China. Originally, “舗(ho)” meant to pave a road. It evolved from “舗道(hodou)” which means a paved road, to signify the foundation or base when constructing buildings. Eventually, it came to be used to refer to the buildings themselves or shops, and in modern times, it is widely used to denote commercial facilities or service-providing places.
Meaning and Usage of 舗(ho)
The kanji “舗(ho)” is mainly used to refer to buildings or stores. You will most commonly see it in the word “店舗(tenpo)”, which means a place or building where goods or services are provided. Additionally, in the word “舗装(hosou)”, it refers to the act of paving surfaces like roads. In business contexts, it is also combined in terms like “本舗(honpo)” and “支舗(shiho)”.
Reading, Stroke Count, and Radical of 舗(ho)
The kanji “舗(ho)” has specific readings and components.
- Reading: In On’yomi (音読み), it is read as “ホ(ho)”, and it does not have a Kun’yomi (訓読み) reading.
- Stroke Count: It has a total of 15 strokes.
- Radical: The radical is “舟(shuu)”.
Idioms, Phrases, and Proverbs Using 舗(ho) and Their Meanings
There are various idioms and phrases that include the kanji “舗(ho)”.
- “店舗(tenpo)”: A place or building where goods or services are provided.
- “舗装(hosou)”: The work of paving surfaces like roads.
- “本舗(honpo)”: The main store or principal shop of a business.
- “支舗(shiho)”: A branch store separated from the main store.
- “路面舗(romenho)”: A store built facing the road surface.
These idioms and phrases are frequently used in business scenes and daily life, reflecting their convenience and functionality.
Summary of 舗(ho)
The kanji “舗(ho)” is closely related to our daily lives. Its usage is not limited to stores and commercial facilities but can also be seen in road paving and various other contexts. The depth of meaning this character holds and the diversity of idioms it forms speak to the richness of Japanese expression. Knowing the background of the kanji “舗(ho)” that we see every day can help us understand the word more deeply.
