普

普 is a phono-semantic compound derived from its original form 暜, composed of:

日 (해 일) — semantic element, symbolizing the sun, brightness, or universality.

竝 (아우를 병) — phonetic component, providing the sound pǔ / 보, and suggesting “to align, to gather together.”

Together, these imply “the sun shining broadly upon all things” — hence the meaning “widespread, universal.”

普通 (보통) — ordinary, general, common

普及 (보급) — to spread, to popularize

普遍 (보편) — universal, all-encompassing

普照 (보조) — to shine universally (Buddhist term)

普賢 (보현) — Samantabhadra Bodhisattva (Buddhist deity)

普渡 (보도) — universal salvation (Buddhist term)

普天 (보천) — all under heaven, the whole world

普選 (보선) — general election, universal suffrage

The combination of 日 (sun) and 竝 (together) expresses the image of sunlight spreading over the earth — a metaphor for universality, benevolence, and equality.

Thus, in Buddhism and Confucianism, 普 signifies enlightenment that extends to all beings.

For example:

普照 (“to shine universally”) describes the Buddha’s wisdom radiating across all realms.

普賢菩薩 (Samantabhadra) embodies universal virtue and compassionate activity.

In modern Chinese, 普 is the root of numerous common expressions of generality and inclusiveness:

普通 (ordinary), 普遍 (universal), 普及 (to popularize).

It also appears phonetically in transliterations of foreign names beginning with “P,” e.g. 普拉達 (Prada), 普林斯頓 (Princeton), and 普羅米修斯 (Prometheus).

As a surname (普氏), it is rare but historically attested in northern Chinese lineages.