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 is a phono-semantic compound denoting actions such as touching, stroking, or gently patting, as well as abstract concepts like comforting, consoling, and nurturing. Its left side features the semantic radical 扌 (shǒu), meaning hand, which grounds the character in the physical gestures of soothing or tending to someone. The right side contains the phonetic component: in the traditional form 撫, this is 無 (wú, meaning “without”), which supplies the sound without adding to the sense of the action. In the simplified version 抚, 無 is replaced by its counterpart 无. The character thus expresses the linked ideas of physical affection, emotional support, and the ongoing process of caring for dependents.

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.