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March 24, 2026
拊fǔ(fu3)
The character 拊 (fǔ) means to pat, slap, or tap something lightly. It can also refer to the handle of a vessel, indicating a physical action that is gentle rather than forceful. This term is often used in contexts where a light touch or encouragement is conveyed.
Strokes8Radical扌Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, gentle gestures, such as patting or tapping, are often used to communicate reassurance or support, especially in familial or close friendships.
Memory Tip
Imagine a gentle bird (the character's left side, 扌, represents a hand) patting its nest (the right side, 夫, looks like a roof). The bird softly taps on the nest, reinforcing the meaning of 'to pat'. The sound 'fǔ' sounds like 'fool', reminding you that a fool might lightly tap something without understanding it fully.
Meanings of 拊
fǔ(fu3)
1to pat, to slap, to tap; the handle of a vessel
2pat
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 拊
拊Simplified
8Strokes
扌Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 拊
Podcast: 拊
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AI Study Notes for 拊
Quick Contrast
拍 (pāi) - use 拊 (fǔ) for a gentle touch, while 拍 (pāi) implies a stronger, more forceful action.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a gentle bird (the character's left side, 扌, represents a hand) patting its nest (the right side, 夫, looks like a roof). The bird softly taps on the nest, reinforcing the meaning of 'to pat'. The sound 'fǔ' sounds like 'fool', reminding you that a fool might lightly tap something without understanding it fully.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 拊 (fǔ) with similar-sounding characters. It's used in informal contexts and is less common in formal writing. Common collocations include 拊肩 (to pat on the shoulder) and 拊背 (to pat on the back).
HSK Study Tips
Although 拊 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it shares components with other characters that involve the hand (扌). Focus on characters that denote actions, particularly those that involve physical interaction.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, gentle gestures, such as patting or tapping, are often used to communicate reassurance or support, especially in familial or close friendships.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 拊 (fǔ) with 拍 (pāi), which means to clap or hit. For example, saying 拊手 (fǔ shǒu) instead of 拍手 (pāi shǒu) would be incorrect, as 拊 suggests a lighter touch rather than clapping.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 拊
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Cultural Notes for 拊
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, gentle gestures, such as patting or tapping, are often used to communicate reassurance or support, especially in familial or close friendships.
Word Family of 拊
Words Containing This Character2
拊fǔpat
拊掌to clap hands
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 拊 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 拊
No, 拊 is not frequently used in everyday conversation and is more likely to appear in literary or formal contexts.
The correct pronunciation is fǔ, with a falling-rising tone.
Generally, 拊 is used in positive contexts, such as encouragement or support, rather than negative ones.
