朴

樸

piáo, pō, pò, pǔ

卜 + 木

Definitions

pǔ (adjective) plain; simple

Piáo (noun) surname

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 卜 represents the sound. Simplified form of 樸.

Semantic: 木 Phonetic: 卜

About

朴 is a phonosemantic compound: 木 'wood' indicates the meaning, while 卜 provides the sound. It is now the simplified form of 樸, which originally referred to raw, unworked timber. From this, 朴 derives its core senses of simplicity, plainness, sincerity, and a natural, unadorned state, qualities metaphorically linked to untouched wood. Depending on pronunciation, it can also denote tree bark, a type of hackberry tree, or a surname.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的生活很朴素。

Tā de shēnghuó hěn pǔsù.

His lifestyle is very simple.

这位农民非常朴实。

Zhè wèi nóngmín fēicháng pǔshí.

This farmer is very honest and unassuming.

她喜欢朴素的着装风格。

Tā xǐhuan pǔsù de zhuózhuó fēnggé.

She likes a simple style of dress.

他的文章语言朴实而有力。

Tā de wénzhāng yǔyán pǔshí ér yǒulì.

The language in his writing is plain yet powerful.

这件工艺品展现了质朴的美。

Zhè jiàn gōngyìpǐn zhǎnxiàn le zhìpǔ de měi.

This handicraft showcases an unadorned beauty.

他为人淳朴，深受大家信任。

Tā wéirén chúnpǔ, shēn shòu dàjiā xìnrèn.

He is simple and honest, and deeply trusted by everyone.

这种朴拙的风格在艺术中独树一帜。

Zhè zhǒng pǔzhuō de fēnggé zài yìshù zhōng dú shù yī zhì.

This simple and unadorned style is unique in the art world.

在浮华的世界里，他始终保持着一份朴直的本心。

Zài fúhuá de shìjiè lǐ, tā shǐzhōng bǎochízhe yī fèn pǔzhí de běnxīn.

In a flashy world, he has always maintained a straightforward and honest heart.

Related Characters

Component: 卜

Component: 木

朴