The Kanji: 殖 (Shoku / Fu)
The kanji 殖 means "to increase," "to multiply," or "to propagate." It combines the radical 歹 (death/bones) with 直 (direct), originally depicting the natural cycle of life and reproduction. This character represents growth through reproduction or accumulation.
Common Words & Example Sentences
1. 繁殖 (hanshoku) - Breeding
動物の繁殖期が始まった。
"The animal breeding season has begun."
2. 増殖 (zōshoku) - Proliferation
細胞が増殖する。
"Cells proliferate."
3. 殖える (fueru) - To multiply
人口が殖える。
"The population multiplies."
4. 殖産 (shokusan) - Wealth accumulation
国策として殖産を奨励する。
"Encourage wealth accumulation as national policy."
In summary, 殖 describes biological reproduction (繁殖), numerical growth (増殖), and economic expansion (殖産). While often interchangeable with 増, it specifically emphasizes organic multiplication rather than simple addition.