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JLPT N18画 · 8 strokesradical 大freq #1884

run, bustle

On'yomi (音読み)

  • ホン

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • はし.る

Mnemonic

As the large dog (大) dashed across the field, its paws pounded the ground in a frantic run (奔), causing everyone to bustle around in excitement.

About this kanji

The kanji 奔 (ほん) primarily means to run or bustle around, expressing a sense of energetic movement. It's often used as a verb in its kun'yomi form はし.る. You can find it in various compounds, such as 奔放 (ほんぽう), which means wild or free-spirited; 狂奔 (きょうほん), meaning to rush around; and 奔走 (ほんそう), which refers to running about busily. Another interesting phrase is 東奔西走 (とうほんせいそう), describing someone who is constantly busy with important tasks. While this kanji emphasizes movement, it can also convey a certain wildness or abandon in one's actions.

Example sentences

  • 彼は奔放な性格だ。

    He has a free-spirited personality.

Meanings across languages

English
run, bustle
Tiếng Việt
chạy, hối hả
日本語
奔走, 忙しい
한국어
달리다, 분주하다
中文
奔跑, 忙碌
id
berlari
th
วิ่ง
es
correr
fr
courir
de
laufen
pt
correr

Common compounds

  • 奔放ほんぽうwild, uninhibited, extravagant
  • 狂奔きょうほんrushing around, running wild
  • 奔走ほんそうrunning about, making every effort (to do), busying oneself (with)
  • 奔流ほんりゅうtorrent, rapid stream, violently rushing stream
  • 東奔西走とうほんせいそうbusying oneself about (something), being on the move, bestirring oneself
  • 淫奔いんぽんlewdness, lasciviousness
  • 出奔しゅっぽんflight, running away, absconding
  • 奔馬ほんばrunaway horse, galloping horse

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