Definitions

(verb) to stroke; to caress
(verb) to comfort; to console

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "抚" originates from the concept of using the hand for comforting or pacifying actions, as evidenced by its structure which combines the hand radical (扌) with the component "无". Its traditional form, "撫", employs "無" which, beyond its common meaning of "without", in this context contributes a sense of "extending over an area" or a widespread, gentle action. The core meaning has consistently revolved around the hand's motion to console, soothe, or gently stroke, from physically calming a child to metaphorically pacifying a populace. Over centuries, this fundamental sense naturally extended to encompass related actions such as patting, lightly pressing down upon, and even taking charge or administering, as seen in terms for nurturing or governing, where the underlying notion remains one of guiding control and gentle maintenance.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

妈妈温柔地摸孩子。

Māma wēnróu de fǔmō háizi.

The mother gently strokes the child.

父母辛苦地养我长大。

Fùmǔ xīnkǔ de fǔyǎng wǒ zhǎng dà.

My parents worked hard to raise me.

他经常弄自己的胡须。

Tā jīngcháng fǔnòng zìjǐ de húxū.

He often strokes his beard.

这首歌曲能慰人的心灵。

Zhè shǒu gēqǔ néng fǔwèi rén de xīnlíng.

This song can soothe people's souls.

春风轻柔地过湖面。

Chūnfēng qīngróu de fǔ guò húmiàn.

The spring breeze gently brushed over the lake surface.

政府出台了新的扶贫政策。

Zhèngfǔ chūtáile xīn de fúpín zhèngcè.

The government introduced a new poverty alleviation policy.

这位巡因治理有方面闻名。

Zhè wèi xúnfǔ yīn zhìlǐ yǒufāng ér wénmíng.

This provincial governor was famous for his capable administration.

他用幽默的话语平了现场的紧张气氛。

Tā yòng yōumò de huàyǔ fǔpíngle xiànchǎng de jǐnzhāng qìfēn.

He used humorous words to smooth over the tense atmosphere at the scene.