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道Nihongo Path
奔

奔·run, rush

On-yomi
ホン
Kun-yomi
none

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
奔走ほんそうrunning about, making every effort
奔放ほんぽうuninhibited, unrestrained
出奔しゅっぽんabsconding, running away
自由奔放じゆうほんぽうfree and unfettered

Example sentences

  1. 彼は資金集めに奔走している。

    かれはしきんあつめにほんそうしている。

    He is running around trying to raise funds.

  2. 彼女の自由奔放な生き方に驚いた。

    かのじょのじゆうほんぽうないきかたにおどろいた。

    I was amazed by her free and unfettered way of living.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 奔走 as ほんそう but writing it 奔騒 — the second character is 走, to run
  • Reading 出奔 as しゅつほん — it is しゅっぽん

Memory aid

Picture it

A person with arms flung wide 大 above three sets of running feet — someone tearing off at full speed.

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 奔 mean?