迫 means “close in, press”
せまる · semaru
Also: urge, force, imminent, spur on
- Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)
- せまる
- On'yomi (Chinese reading)
- ハク
JLPT N1 · Taught in secondary school · 8 strokes
The story
Movement (辶) bearing down on something white (白): picture a white-capped wave rushing up the beach. 迫る is to close in, as a deadline does, 圧迫 is pressure, and a film with real punch is praised for its 迫力.
Used in 迫る (semaru, to close in/press), 迫力 (hakuryoku, power/impact), and 圧迫 (appaku, pressure)
More from Ask & Persuade
- 誘 invite
- 促 urge
- 勧 advise
- 薦 recommend
- 励 encourage
- 奨 encourage
- 諾 consent
- 嘱 entrust
- 乞 beg
- 応 respond
- 請 request
Learn 迫 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji
Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.