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道Nihongo Path
奉

奉·offer, serve

On-yomi
ホウブ
Kun-yomi
たてまつ(る)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

8 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
奉仕ほうしservice, volunteer work
奉納ほうのうdedication, votive offering
信奉しんぽうbelief in, adherence to
奉行ぶぎょうmagistrate (historical)

Example sentences

  1. 休日に地域の奉仕活動に参加した。

    きゅうじつにちいきのほうしかつどうにさんかした。

    I joined a community volunteer activity on my day off.

  2. 神社に絵馬を奉納した。

    じんじゃにえまをほうのうした。

    I offered a votive tablet at the shrine.

  3. 江戸時代の奉行所の跡が残っている。

    えどじだいのぶぎょうしょのあとがのこっている。

    The remains of an Edo-period magistrate's office are still there.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 奉行 as ほうぎょう — the rare ブ reading gives ぶぎょう
  • Reading 信奉 as しんほう — it voices to しんぽう

Memory aid

Picture it

Hands raised beneath an offering held above them: presenting something respectfully with both hands.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 奉 mean?