阜
Mnemonic
A frenchman hauls a heavy wooden cross up a massive terraced hill. At the summit, he drives the cross deep into the rich, heaped-up earth, claiming this fertile mound for France. From every valley below, villagers can see the cross crowning the hill's broad crest.
Additional thoughts
Picture a beret-wearing Frenchman struggling up layer after layer of packed earth, finally planting a tall cross at the very top. The terraced shape of the hill matches the kanji's stacked strokes.Quick recall
A frenchman plants a cross atop a great earthen hill, claiming it for France.Details
The keyword for 阜 is hill. This kanji depicts a large, terraced mound of earth rising from the ground, representing a natural elevation or hill. In ancient China, it referred specifically to a large earthen mound or elevated landform, distinguishing it from rocky mountains. It carries connotations of abundance and fullness, as hills were associated with fertile, heaped-up earth.
- On'yomi
- ふ、ふう