The Kanji: 敷 (Fu / Shi)
The kanji 敷 (read as fu or shi) carries the core meaning of "to spread," "to lay out," or "to pave." It visually combines the radical for "to strike" (攵) with other components, suggesting the action of pressing something flat into place. This character extends from physical spreading to the establishment of rules or foundations.
Common Words & Example Sentences
1. 敷く (shiku)
Meaning: To spread out; to lay (e.g., a carpet, a blanket).
Example Sentence: 床に布団を敷きました。
(Yuka ni futon o shikimashita.)
"I spread out the futon on the floor."
2. 敷地 (shikichi)
Meaning: Site; premises; grounds (of a building).
Example Sentence: 学校の敷地はとても広い。
(Gakkō no shikichi wa totemo hiroi.)
"The school grounds are very spacious."
3. 座布団 (zabuton)
Meaning: Japanese floor cushion (literally "spread-sitting cushion").
Example Sentence: 客に座布団を勧めた。
(Kyaku ni zabuton o susumeta.)
"I offered a sitting cushion to the guest."
In summary, 敷 is a practical kanji describing the act of laying something out flat, from physical objects like futons (敷く) to defined areas of land (敷地). It embodies both concrete and foundational applications in Japanese.