Definitions

(verb) to pounce on; to throw oneself at
(verb) to flap; to flutter
(verb) to pat; to dab

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

扑 describes physical actions like pouncing, flapping, or rushing forward with force. Its traditional form, 撲, combines the hand radical on the left with a complex right component originally suggesting dense vegetation or cumbersome objects. In the simplified character, this complex element is replaced by the two-stroke 卜, which functions purely as a phonetic indicator. The hand radical firmly grounds the character's meaning in the domain of physical contact, striking, and dynamic movement.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

灭了大火。

Tā pūmiè le dàhuǒ.

He extinguished the big fire.

消防员灭火灾。

Xiāofángyuán pūmiè huǒzāi.

Firefighters extinguish the fire.

打身上的蚊子。

Wǒ pūdǎ shēnshàng de wénzi.

I swat the mosquitoes on my body.

香味鼻而来。

Xiāngwèi pūbí ér lái.

The fragrance assails the nostrils.

空了,没找到人。

Tā pūkōng le, méi zhǎodào rén.

He failed to find anyone; he came for nothing.

球员救险球。

Qiúyuán pūjiù xiǎn qiú.

The player made a diving save for a dangerous ball.

孩子们在草地上蝴蝶。

Háizimen zài cǎodì shàng pū húdié.

The children are catching butterflies on the grass.

他毫不犹豫地向歹徒。

Tā háobù yóuyù de pū xiàng dǎitú.

He without hesitation pounced on the thug.