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An Etymological Dictionary of Chinese Characters
Interpretations by Lawrence J. Howell and Hikaru Morimoto |
| Covering 6,500 Chinese characters as used in Japan |
Word Family of Terms Originally Pronounced KOG
Semantic Values of the Sound KOG: Frame + Curvature + Straight
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Terms in this word family suggest curvature in a fundamentally straight object, principally the human body. We find backs bent on account of age (考, 久, 孝), the throat twisted in yelling (号, 叫), a hand bending and tightening (九), the twisting waist (要, 腰), as well as the entire body curved in relaxation (休) or in coddling a child (好).
Other concrete examples of a fundamentally straight object being curved include that of a pelt wrapped about oneself (求), a tree bending with decay (朽), an arching bridge (橋), and a bent bow (矯).
Among the non-Everyday Use Characters, we find the following examples:
A slender, curved thread (幺)
A slender, curved variety of plant (蒿)
Vegetation bending in a flood or wilting on account of heat (浩, 皓)
A tree that wilts on account of dehydration (槁)
A tree bending with rot/decay (枵)
A twisted tree (栲)
A tree with bending/drooping branches that undulate (樛)
Circuitous movement (敖, 徼)
Form a circular group (逑, 鏖)
The act of rolling up an object (撟)
Create an arc in leaping/bounding (趫)
Conversation revolving among a number of people (囂)
The round shape of an owl (梟, 鴞)
A curving stretch of marshland, or an inlet (皋, 澳)
A deep recess at an inlet (隩)
A curving mountain range (嶢)
A curved peak (嶠)
Water pouring in an arc (澆)
A leek or other supple plant (韭/韮, 蕎)
A mortar, a bowl-shaped container (臼)
A tortoise/turtle with a curved shell (亀, 鼇)
An animal that curls around a victim (貅)
Coiling, serpentine creatures (虯, 蛟)
A limber person (夭, 喬, 佼)
A woman twisting her body alluringly (妖, 嬌, 姣)
The body contorting on account of illness (疚)
A body bent on account of age (舅, 媼)
A body bent in supplication (俅)
Lean upon, causing to bend (靠)
Curling the lips to utter a roar (哮) or to whistle (嚆)
A lamb in a round cooking pot (羔)
A winding/twisting action (爻, 攷, 狡, 拗, 攪)
A twisting cavern (窈)
A cavern with a low ceiling, forcing one to bend to enter (窖)
(Creation of) a hole/cavern (竅, 坳)
Eyes sunk deep in the cavities of their eye sockets (窅)
A jewel of a curving/twisted shape (玖)
A round jewel (璆)
Curvy body parts such as the buttocks or cheekbones (尻, 馗)
A plump species of bird (鳩)
A lump of dried, cooked rice (糗)
A lump creating a nasal obstruction (鼽)
An elliptical stick used in moxibustion (灸)
A ball of hair/fur (毬)
Tail feathers curving high into the air (翹)
Curved wings (翺)
An arrow attached to a cord that wraps about prey on contact (繳)
A fur (garment) wrapped about the body (裘)
A protective sack (櫜)
A curving moat (壕 and 濠)
Tightly strained sinews (赳)
Padded overgarments encasing the body (襖)
The sun curving above (杲) or below (杳) the horizon
Extensions of meaning or abstract applications of the senses noted above are found in the remaining characters in this group.
号 (5) ゴウ Formerly 號
丂 is a line that curves upon having its progress blocked (compare 乙). 号 is 丂 (Type 1 Phonetic) + 口 mouth → bend one's throat in shouting (compare 叫) → call; name → number; indicator (← enumerate ← indicate ← name in shouting). 號 adds 虎 tiger, suggesting a beast's harsh roar, but the present style drops the 虎 element.
巧 (5) コウ；たく（み）
丂 (Type 1 Phonetic) as described in 号 (extend then bend) + 工 work → a work characterized by curved lines → skill; ingenuity.
朽 (6) キュウ；く（ちる）
丂 (Type 1 Phonetic) as described in 号 (extend then bend) + 木 tree/wood → tree bending with rot/decay.
考 (6) コウ；かんが（え・える）
Variant of 丂 (Type 1 Phonetic) as described in 号 (extend then bend) + an abbreviated form of 老 (bent over, elderly person) → elderly person with a bent back. Think and consider are borrowed meanings, via 攷. Extended meanings include idea; opinion; suggestion; intention; discretion; expectations; imagination; consider; reflect on; prepare (for); intend to; expect (that); imagine (that); and contrive (to). 考 also refers to one's deceased father; the character for one's deceased mother is 妣.
拷 (9) ゴウ
As per 考 (Type 1 Phonetic) (investigate deeply) + 手 hand/action indicator → strike a person in interrogation → torture.
九 (2) キュウ；ク；ここの；ここの（つ） S/B 
S/B is a pictograph of a hand bending and tightening → bump up against and bend. Nine comes from the idea of a number that figuratively bumps up against the end when counting to ten on one's fingers.
究 (7) キュウ；きわ（める）
As per 九 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bump up against and bend) + 穴 hole → fumble about in the far reaches of a hole (compare 探) → investigate; research (compare 考) → master (a discipline). Compare also 奥 and 探.
久 (3) キュウ；ク；ひさ（しい） SIS 
SIS shows an elderly person with a bent back (compare 老) + a line indicating a pulling motion → something long and bent/twisting → long (time).
旧 (5) キュウ Formerly 舊
The top element of 舊 is 隹 short, squat bird + 艸 grass/plant (here acting as a shape indicator, suggesting the curvature of a pair of ears) → horned owl. 舊 adds 臼 (Type 1 Phonetic), also acting as a shape indicator to suggest a bent-over figure → owl (← bird that presents a bent-over appearance) → bent with rot; old friend → old; former.
臭 (9) シュウ；くさ（い） Formerly 
犬 dog (animal with a keen sense of smell) + 自 (nose) → (foul) smell sensed through flared nostrils → reek; stench.
求 (7) キュウ；もと（める） S/B 
S/B is a pictograph of an animal pelt, complete with head and limbs → draw tight (← pelt wrapped tightly about oneself for warmth; compare 満, 皮 and 表, as well as 韋) → want (← draw a desired object tightly into one's possession) → seek; search for; request; ask (for); demand; buy.
救 (11) キュウ；すく（う）
As per 求 (Type 1 Phonetic) (wrap a pelt about oneself) + 攵 action indicator → detain a person to prevent him from making a misstep or error → rescue; save; help.
球 (11) キュウ；たま
As per 求 (Type 1 Phonetic) (wrap a pelt about oneself) + 玉 jewel → precious gem, the lines of which draw tightly toward the palm of the holder → round jewel → spherical object; ball; bulb (compare 玉).
叫 (6) キョウ；さけ（ぶ） Formerly  SIS 
SIS of the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) shows two threads twisted together. 叫 adds 口 mouth → twist the throat in uttering a cry (compare 号) → yell; cry out; shout; scream → call; name (in derogatory senses); appeal (for); clamor.
糾 (9) キュウ Formerly  Alternate Form 糺
As per the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 叫 (two threads twisted together) + 糸 thread → entwine thread → twist → rectify (← prevent another from straying; compare 救) → follow about; examine (← twist); be strict with (← rectify). The alternate form 糺 is 糸 thread + 乚 (line that descends then flattens out).
休 (6) キュウ；やす（まる・み・む・める）
人 person + 木 tree/wood → person curling up to rest in the shade of a tree → stop; quit. Extended meanings include recess; (a) break/breather; holiday; vacation; day(s) off (from work); absence; sleep; suspend (work); stop (doing); and lay fallow.
好 (6) コウ；この（ましい・み・む）；す（き）
女 woman + 子 child → woman clasping a child → like; love → desirable; favorable; fondness; pleasing; fine; taste; choice; preference.
孝 (7) コウ
Abbreviated form of 老 (Type 8 Phonetic) (elderly person with a bent back) + 子 child → child bowing to elders → filial piety.
酵 (14) コウ
As per 孝 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bow → curl) + 酉 alcohol container → curdling alcoholic brew → ferment → yeast.
憂 (15) ユウ；う（い）；うれ（い・える） SIS 
SIS combines 頁 head + 心 heart/emotions + 夊 dragging leg/foot → pensive state of mind, causing a person's head to hang and body to move deliberately (compare 愛) → sadness; anxiety; worry; grief; disappointment; depression.
優 (17) ユウ；すぐ（れる）；やさ（しい）
As per 憂 (Type 1 Phonetic) (deliberate movement) + 人 person → actor moving gracefully, with great deliberation → graceful; flexible; gentle → excel; superior (← graceful motion) → kind; tender.
幼 (5) ヨウ；おさな（い）
幺 (Type 1 Phonetic) slender thread + 力 power/energy → infant (← person of as little power as a winding thread).
幽 (9) ユウ
幺 slender thread (doubled) (Type 1 Phonetic) (→ winding objects) + 山 mountain → deep recesses of a mountain → dark; profound; faint → afterlife; unknown; far removed from human habitation.
奥 (12) オウ；オク；おく Formerly 奧 SIS 
SIS combines 釆 scattering seeds (→ fine objects) + 宀 roof/building + a pair of hands → search for a small object in the deep recesses of a room (compare 究 and 探) → depths; secret; inner part; in one's heart → corner; back room → wife (← woman kept in seclusion). Recesses (of a valley) is a borrowing.
交 (6) コウ；か（う・わす）；ま（ざる・じる・ぜる）；まじ（える・わり・わる） S/B 
S/B is a pictograph of a crosslegged person → cross; intersect; exchange; come and go → mix; blend; mingle; keep company with; associate with; converse.
効 (8) コウ；き（く） Formerly 效
交 (Type 1 Phonetic) cross + 力 power/energy → cross (i.e., combine) one's energy with that of others to increase effectiveness → work well; effect; do one's best. 效 was originally a separate character, consisting of 交 + 攵 action indicator → cross two objects in comparing them → take after. 効 now bears this meaning as well.
郊 (9) コウ
交 (Type 1 Phonetic) come and go + 邑 village/settlement → suburb (i.e., a residential area sited within easy reach of a town).
校 (10) コウ
交 (Type 1 Phonetic) cross + 木 tree/wood → wooden shackles/fetters → fence (← construction of crossed boards). School is from the idea of a place where an exchange of teaching and learning (by comparison) is performed; the same notion is at work in 学. For shackles/fetters, compare 械, 枷, 絆 and 桎.
絞 (12) コウ；しぼ（り・る）；し（まる・める）
交 (Type 1 Phonetic) cross + 糸 thread → cross threads and pull tight → wring; strangle → squeeze out (water); press. Also, scold, grill (a person), drill (a person), (photographic) stop/diaphragm, and tie-dyeing.
教 (11) キョウ；おし（え・える）；おそ（わる） Formerly 敎 S/B(a)  S/B(b) 
S/B(a) combines 攴 action indicator and 爻 (Type 1 Phonetic) cross/mix → the act of crossing or mixing. S/B(b) adds 子 child → impart knowledge to a child (compare 学) → teach; instruct; tell/show (how to do) → lesson; teachings; precept; doctrine → religion.
要 (9) ヨウ；い（る） Formerly  BIS 
BIS shows a pair of hands + a backbone → press the body into a curvaceous shape. Later, 女 woman was appended for further emphasis (curvaceous figure of a female) → waist; hips → main point; vital (← hips as the pivot point of the body) → brief; sum up; in short. Also, demand (← demand that which is vital to one) → want; need; require.
腰 (13) ヨウ；こし Formerly 
要 (Type 1 Phonetic) waist/hips + 肉 flesh → waist; hips; small of the back. 腰 was devised to replace 要 after the latter took on its extended meanings.
高 (10) コウ；たか（い） S/B  BIS  SIS 
S/B, BIS and SIS are pictographs of a tall, inclined building, constructed on a plateau or high place → expensive (← high price). Compare 厚.
稿 (15) コウ Alternate Form 稾
禾 grain/rice + 高 (Type 1 Phonetic) tall → tall stalks of millet → straw → draft; manuscript (raw version of a written work ← raw material ← millet stalks used as thatch or fuel).
豪 (14) ゴウ
Abbreviated form of 高 (Type 8 Phonetic) tall + 豕 pig/boar (→ wild animal) → porcupine (← animal which, when threatened, arches its back and makes its protective needles stand on end) → magnificent; powerful; wealthy; luxurious (← stand tall ← stand on end).
橋 (16) キョウ；はし
As per 喬 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tall and limber → bend; arch) + 木 tree/wood → arching, wooden bridge.
矯 (17) キョウ；た（める）
As per 喬 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tall and limber → bend; arch) + 矢 arrow → bend a bow in firing off an arrow → straighten; correct (← bend back into shape) → reform.
県 (9) ケン SIS  Alternate Form 縣
SIS is a pictograph of an upside-down, severed head, which it was a custom to suspend in midair from a high place (to serve as a warning to potential criminals). Compare 梟 and 領. 県 also serves as an abbreviated form of a separate character, 縣. 縣 is 県 + 系 (connecting attachment of string or thread) → hang suspended in-between → prefecture (← political unit suspended between the central and local governments).
暁 (12) ギョウ；あかつき Formerly 曉
日 sun/day + 尭/堯 (Type 1 Phonetic) (raise/rise high) → sun curving over the horizon, which in turn lightens the sky → dawn; daylight; daybreak → enlighten.
幺 (3) ヨウ BIS 
BIS is a pictograph of a slender, curved thread (compare 糸) → small (and slender). Also, young and childish/childlike (← small being ← small).
爻 (4) コウ
An ideograph suggesting twisting, X-shaped objects → cross; mix. Compare 交.
臼 (6) キュウ；うす BIS 
BIS is a pictograph of a mortar (a bowl-shaped receptacle) → mortar-shaped object.
韭 (9) キュウ；ク；にら Alternate Form 韮
A pictograph of a leek, the top of which bends back toward the ground. When used as an independent character in Japanese, the alternate form 韮, adding 艸 grass/plant, is more common.
亀 (11) キ；かめ S/B  Alternate Form 龜
S/B is a pictograph of a tortoise or turtle with a curved shell.
敖 (11) ゴウ SIS 
SIS shows that the 土 element was originally 出 go forth. 敖 adds 放 release → be released and go about (act) as one pleases → ramble; play around. Arrogant is a borrowed meaning, via 傲.
傲 (13) ゴウ；おご（る）
As per 敖 (Type 1 Phonetic) (go about [act] as one pleases) + 人 person → person acting as s/he pleases → proud; arrogant (← do as one pleases, caring nothing about others).
囂 (21) ゴウ；かまびす（しい） Alternate Form 噐
口 (Type 4 Phonetic) mouth (quadrupled) + 頁 head (→ people) → noisy conversation revolving about a number of people.
梟 (11) キョウ；ふくろう
Abbreviated form (Type 8 Phonetic) of 鳥 bird + 木 tree/wood → owl (the corpses of which were in ancient China hung on trees to deter sparrows and other birds from alighting) → expose (a criminal's severed head); (executed criminal's) exposed head. Also, ferocious (← owl as predator). For the idea of (exposing) a severed head, compare 県 and 領.
皋 (10) コウ；おか；さんたま；さわ；みずたまり Alternate Form 皐
Originally, 日 sun/day + 大 person standing outstretched + 十 (gather) → expansive, curving stretch of marshland (= collected water) located on bright heights (compare 京) → waterside. Later, as in 皓, 日 came to be written 白.
夭 (4) ヨウ S/B 
S/B is a pictograph of a slender, limber youth → young → die young → calamity. Compare 殀.
妖 (7) ヨウ
As per 夭 (Type 1 Phonetic) (slender and limber) + 女 woman → woman twisting her body alluringly (compare 嬌) → alluring; bewitching; weird. Also, calamity (← calamity following submission to temptation).
殀 (8) ヨウ
夭 (Type 1 Phonetic) young + 歹 severed bone/death → die young/prematurely → kill (another in his youth).
喬 (12) キョウ
As per 夭 (Type 1 Phonetic) (slender and limber) + 高 tall → tall, limber youth → tall and limber → superior; arrogant; put on airs.
僑 (14) キョウ
As per 喬 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tall and limber) + 人 person → person (strong/healthy and) limber enough to go off and live independently → sojourner; traveler; person living outside his/her own country. Also, (person) living in a temporary home.
嬌 (15) キョウ
As per 喬 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tall and limber) + 女 woman → woman twisting her body alluringly (compare 妖) → coquetry; seductiveness.
蕎 (15) キョウ
As per 喬 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tall and limber) + 艸 grass/plant → a supple and mildly toxic perennial used as a medicinal plant. The compound 蕎麦 refers to buckwheat.
驕 (22) キョウ；おご（る）
As per 喬 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tall and limber) + 馬 horse → horse prancing, head raised high → pride; arrogance.
尭 (8) ギョウ S/B  SIS  Alternate Form 堯
S/B shows a person carrying objects high upon the back. SIS replaces the objects on top with a large pile of earth → (extremely) high. 尭 is a post-SCR simplification of this element.
僥 (14) ギョウ
As per 堯 (Type 1 Phonetic), the alternate form of 尭 (person carrying objects high upon the back) + 人 person → (figuratively) stand on tiptoe in expectation → good fortune (← have one's hopes/expectations met) → expect too much.
羔 (10) コウ
羊 sheep + 火 fire → lamb (← that fits into a round cooking pot for boiling whole; compare 羜).
攷 (6) コウ
As per 丂 (Type 1 Phonetic) as described in 号 (extend then bend) + 攵 action indicator → wind and twist to the furthest reaches → investigate deeply (compare 究) → consider; examine; test.
尻 (5) コウ；しり
As per 九 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bump up against and bend → curve) + 尸 body/buttocks → (the curvy) buttocks → bottom; rear; end.
馗 (11) キ
As per 九 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bump up against and bend → curve) + 首 head → (curving) cheekbone. Road is a borrowed meaning.
鳩 (13) キュウ；はと
As per 九 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bump up against and bend → curve) + 鳥 bird → pigeon; dove (← a plump species of avian) → assemble; gather (← large flock of pigeons).
灸 (7) キュウ
As per 久 (Type 1 Phonetic) (long and bent/twisting) + 火 fire → moxa formed into an elliptical stick for use in moxibustion. Compare 艾.
疚 (8) キュウ；やま（しい）；や（む）
As per 久 (Type 1 Phonetic) (long and bent/twisting) + 疒 illness → lengthy/chronic illness (one causing the body to contort) → guilt; remorse (← protracted mental affliction).
毬 (11) キュウ；いが；まり
As per 求 (Type 1 Phonetic) (wrap a pelt about oneself) + 毛 hair/fur → ball made of hair/fur (compare 鞠) → ball-shaped/round object; burr.
裘 (13) キュウ
As per 求 (Type 1 Phonetic) (wrap a pelt about oneself) + 衣 clothing → a fur (garment). 裘 was devised to express the original sense of 求 after the latter underwent its transformation of meanings.
咬 (9) コウ；か（む）
交 (Type 1 Phonetic) cross + 口 mouth → bite; chew (← cross the upper and lower rows of teeth in biting/chewing).
狡 (9) コウ；こす（い）；ずる（い）
交 (Type 1 Phonetic) cross + 犬 dog/beast → cunning/crafty animal (compare 獪 and 猾) able to twist and make its escape → sly; deceitful.
餃 (15) ギョウ
交 (Type 1 Phonetic) cross + 食 food/eating → starch syrup. This sticky product (compare 膠) clings to the spoon or ladle with which it is stirred, and thus requires a mutual scraping motion for the syrup to be cleanly removed. Stuffed dumplings (gyoza) is via the compound 餃子.
鮫 (17) コウ；さめ
交 (Type 1 Phonetic) cross + 魚 fish → shark (← sea creature with jagged teeth that mesh when the jaw is closed). Compare 鰐.
浩 (10) コウ
As per 告 (Type 1 Phonetic) (force to bend) + 水 water → flood forcing trees and vegetation to bend → great/abundant amount of water; vast → wide; expansive (← vast space ← vast amount of water).
皓 (12) コウ Alternate Form 晧
Originally 日 + 告: As per 告 (Type 1 Phonetic) (force to bend) + 日 sun/day → bright sunshine, in the heat of which plants wilt (compare 浩). Later, the meaning white came to predominate over bright, leading to the replacement of 日 by 白 (compare 皋).
膠 (15) コウ；にかわ
As per 翏 (Type 3 Phonetic) (separate) + 肉 flesh → separate meat and non-edible portions of a bird, then boil down the latter into a sticky substance (compare 餃) → stick to; glue.
哮 (10) コウ；たけ（る）
As per 孝 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bow → curl) + 口 mouth → curl the lips in uttering a roar.
嗅 (13) キュウ；か（ぐ）
The previous form of 臭 (Type 1 Phonetic) smell + 口 mouth → smell (v.). 嗅 was devised after 臭 came to be used exclusively as a noun.
舅 (13) キュウ；しゅうと
臼 (Type 1 Phonetic), here a shape indicator suggesting a bent-over figure (compare this same usage in 舊, the previous form of 旧) + 男 man → elder male (compare 久) → brother(s) of one's mother; father of one's husband.
蒿 (13) コウ；よもぎ
高 (Type 1 Phonetic) tall/high + 艸 grass/plant → general term for tall plants → artemisia; mugwort.
嚆 (16) コウ
As per 蒿 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tall → high) + 口 mouth → mimic the sound made by a high-flying, whistling arrow → call (out); make noise.
敲 (14) コウ；たた（く）
高 (Type 1 Phonetic) tall/high + 攴 action indicator → raise the arm high, then strike down upon an object → beat; pound.
犒 (14) コウ；ねぎら（う）
高 (Type 1 Phonetic) tall/high + 牛 cow → kill and serve up a tall cow (to victorious soldiers) → offer thanks; reward.
膏 (14) コウ；あぶら
As per 高 (Type 1 Phonetic) (high place → high and dry → white [← white as a bleached landscape; compare 皓]) + 肉 flesh → fat (← the white part of meat) → tasty food; fat → grease → ointment; paste (n.) (← greasy substance).
縞 (16) コウ；しま；しろぎぬ
As per 高 (Type 1 Phonetic) (high place → high and dry → white [← white as a bleached landscape; compare 皓]) + 糸 thread → white silk fabric → stripe (← white section of a striped pattern).
鎬 (18) コウ；しのぎ
高 (Type 1 Phonetic) tall/high + 金 metal → raised ridges of the edge of a sword.
毫 (11) ゴウ
An abbreviated form of 豪 (Type 8 Phonetic) (stand on end → stretch at length) + 毛 (fine strands of) hair → fine hair, stretched high above the skin/scalp → minute amount (← fine amount ← fine). Also, writing brush (← fine hair).
壕 (17) ゴウ；ほり
As per 豪 (Type 1 Phonetic) (stand on end → stretch at length) + 土 earth → moat (that stretches at length, winding about an edifice). 壕 and 濠 are effectively variants of each other.
濠 (17) ゴウ；ほり
As per 豪 (Type 1 Phonetic) (stand on end → stretch at length) + 水 water → moat (that stretches at length, winding about an edifice). Australia is via the phonetic construction 濠太剌利. 濠 and 壕 are effectively variants of each other.
藁 (17) コウ；わら
艸 + a variant (Type 1 Phonetic) of 稿 (straw), repositioning the 高 and 木 elements → straw; wither; dead/withered tree. 藁 was devised to replace 稿.
仇 (4) キュウ；あだ；かたき
As per 九 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bump up against and bend) + 人 person → enemy (with whom one comes to grips in battle) → rival; adversary. Also, hatred and grudge, as well as revenge (← take revenge against one's enemy).
玖 (7) キュウ；ク
As per 久 (Type 1 Phonetic) (long and bent/twisting) 玉 jewel → beautiful black gem, of a curving/twisted shape (compare 球). Nine is a borrowed meaning.
赳 (10) キュウ
As per the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 叫 (two threads twisted together) + 走 run → sinews of the legs, tightly strained in running → strong → brave (← strong, valiant warrior).
懊 (16) オウ
奧 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 奥 depths + 心 heart/emotions → deep anxiety.
燠 (17) オウ；イク；ウ；おき
奧 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 奥 depths + 火 fire → warm (← heat lingering in firewood) → embers; hot coals.
襖 (18) オウ；ふすま
奧 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 奥 depths + 衣 clothing → lined/padded outer garments (which encase the body deep inside). Fusuma (sliding paper doors) is a borrowed meaning.
拗 (8) ヨウ；オウ；こじ（れる）；す（ねる）；ね（じる・じれる）；ねじ（くれる・ける）
As per 幼 (Type 1 Phonetic) (infant of slight power) + 手 hand/action indicator → twist or an object of slight powers of resistence → become distorted or warped. Also, sulky (← warped, perverse attitude).
佼 (8) コウ
As per 交 (Type 1 Phonetic) (person standing cross-legged → supple figure) + 人 person → person of an attractive, supple figure → beautiful; handsome.
肴 (8) コウ；さかな
An abbreviated form of 爻 (Type 8 Phonetic) cross/mix (functioning as a shape indicator) + 肉 flesh → meat spread crossways upon a grill → (cooked) meat/fish; side dish.
淆 (11) コウ；ま（じる）
As per 肴 (Type 1 Phonetic) (meat spread crossways on a grill → cross) + 水 water → turbid (= crossing) water → turbidity; mixing; disorder. Compare 攪.
嚙 (18) ゴウ；か（じる・む）；かぶ（る） Alternate Form 噛
齒 the previous form of 歯 teeth + 口 mouth → bite; chew (← cross the teeth in biting/chewing). Compare 咬.
攪 (23) カク；コウ Alternate Form 撹
As per 覺 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 覚 (point where that heard and seen comes together in a flash of realization → cross) + 手 hand/action indicator → mix/stir (← cross the hands in mixing) → turbidity; confusion; disturbance. Compare 淆.
邀 (17) ヨウ
敫 (Type 1 Phonetic) as described in 激 (curving white spray created by the impact of water upon rocks → meeting of two forces) + 辵 movement → move to intercept an enemy → await; meet; confront.
窈 (10) ヨウ
As per 幼 (Type 1 Phonetic) (infant of slight power → slightness) + 穴 hole → the obscure recesses of a twisting/curving cavity → quiet; secluded (← quiet, secluded recesses; compare 幽) → refined (← quiet elegance).
窖 (12) コウ
As per 告 (Type 1 Phonetic) (place a bar upon the horns of a steer, forcing its neck to bend) + 穴 hole → cavern (with a low ceiling, forcing one to bend to enter) → cellar.
竅 (18) キョウ
As per 敫 (Type 1 Phonetic) as described in 激 (curving white spray created by the impact of water upon rocks → meeting of two forces) + 穴 hole → create a hole/cavern → (small) aperture.
磽 (17) コウ；キョウ
As per 堯 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 尭 (tall/high) + 石 stone → barren, rocky soil on high ground.
杲 (8) コウ；あき（らか）
木 tree/wood + 日 sun/day → the sun, having risen over trees and high into the sky → brilliant (← brilliant sunlight). Compare and contrast 杳.
杳 (8) ヨウ；くら（い）；はる（か）
木 tree/wood + 日 sun/day → the sun, having set below trees → dark. Also, distant (← distant and thus dimly visible) and profound (← dark, profound mysteries). Compare and contrast 杲.
傚 (12) コウ；なら（う）
效 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 効 work well; do one's best + 人 person → learn (by imitating) → imitate; emulate.
貅 (13) キュウ
As per 休 (Type 1 Phonetic) (curl up → curl around) + 豸 animal that ambles along the ground → fierce beast (trained for attack in battle; compare 貔) → courageous soldier.
嶢 (15) ギョウ
As per 堯 (Type 1 Phonetic), the alternate form of 尭 (person carrying objects high upon the back) + 山 mountain → tall, curving mountain range → towering mountain.
澆 (15) ギョウ；キョウ；うす（い）；そそ（ぐ）
As per 堯 (Type 1 Phonetic), the alternate form of 尭 (person carrying objects high upon the back) + 水 water → sprinkle/pour water (down from on high, in an arc) → slight; thin (← slight trickle of water).
翹 (18) ギョウ；あ（げる）；つまだ（てる）
As per 堯 (Type 1 Phonetic), the alternate form of 尭 (person carrying objects high upon the back) + 羽 feather/wing → raised tail feathers of a pheasant, curving high into the air → raise high. Also, outstanding and stand on tiptoes.
驍 (22) ギョウ；キョウ
As per 堯 (Type 1 Phonetic), the alternate form of 尭 (person carrying objects high upon the back) + 馬 horse → tall, excellent horse → strong and valiant.
誥 (14) コウ；つ（げる）
As per 告 (Type 1 Phonetic) (place a bar upon the horns of a steer, forcing its neck to bend) + 言 words → give notice/instructions to (a subordinate) (← figuratively bend a subordinate to one's will) → admonish (a subordinate). Also, imperial decree/proclamation.
靠 (15) コウ；もた（れる）；よ（る）
As per 告 (Type 1 Phonetic) (place a bar upon the horns of a steer, forcing its neck to bend) + 非 (unfold to right and left) → lean on (← cause to lean right or left in exerting downward pressure) → depend on.
遨 (15) ゴウ；あそ（ぶ）
As per 敖 (Type 1 Phonetic) (go about [act] as one pleases) + 辵 movement → enjoy oneself at will.
鼇 (24) ゴウ；おおがめ Alternate Form 鰲
As per 敖 (Type 1 Phonetic) (go about [act] as one pleases) + 黽 frog/amphibious creature → (legendary) huge sea turtle.
媼 (13) オウ；うば；おうな
As per the previous form of the right-hand element of 温 (curved lid) + 女 woman → elderly woman (with a curved/bent back) → (appellation roughly equivalent to) grandma. Compare 嫗.
徼 (16) キョウ；ギョウ；ヨウ；めぐ（る）；もと（める）
As per 敫 (Type 1 Phonetic) as described in 激 (curving white spray created by the impact of water upon rocks → meeting of two forces) + 彳 movement → patrol; go about; border (at which patrols were made). Also, cut off escape routes in pursuing. Intercept/confront an enemy is a borrowed meaning via 邀).
昊 (8) コウ
As per 天 the heavens + 日 sun/day → bright, summer sky; the wide heavens.
槁 (14) コウ；か（れる）
As per 高 (Type 1 Phonetic) (high place → high and dry) + 木 tree/wood → wilting, dehydrated tree; withered tree; dry out → expose for drying.
樛 (15) キュウ
As per 翏 (Type 3 Phonetic) (separate) + 木 tree/wood → bending/drooping branches that undulate. Undulate to make forward progress is a borrowed meaning (compare 蜷 and 蜿).
澳 (16) オウ；イク；おき；くま
奧 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 奥 depths + 水 water → inlet (into which water bends following a curving shoreline); bend in a river; deep water; deep. In Japan, the character also has the meaning offshore.
轎 (19) キョウ；かご
As per 喬 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tall and limber) + 車 vehicle → tall, lightweight palanquin or sedan-chair (carried high on the shoulders of attendants).
逑 (11) キュウ；つれあい
As per 求 (Type 1 Phonetic) (wrap a pelt about oneself) + 辵 movement (here an action indicator) → gather/assemble in a circular group. Also, partner (among others in a group).
鏖 (19) オウ；みなごろし
鹿 deer (→ herd of deer) + 金 metal → drive into a circular, enclosed space and massacre/annihilate with metallic weapons.
鬮 (26) キュウ；くじ
龜 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 亀 turtle (→ creature with a protective shell) + 鬥 fight/battle → fight between armored warriors → fight and take possession of. Also, draw lots and lottery.
黝 (17) ユウ；あおぐろ（い）
As per 幼 (Type 1 Phonetic) (infant of slight power → slightness) + 黑 the previous form of 黒 black → black; dark; obscure; dim (← obscure/dimly visible on account of darkness) → black-blue.
坳 (8) オウ；ヨウ；くぼ（み）
An abbreviated form (Type 8 Phonetic) of 窈 (obscure recesses of a twisting/curving cavity) + 土 earth → hollow/concavity in the ground.
隩 (16) イク；オウ；くま
奧 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 奥 depths + 阜 piled earth → deep recess (← depression in a pile of earth or hill; compare 隈), particularly with respect to an inlet area.
虯 (8) キュウ；みずち
As per the right-hand element (Type 1 Phonetic) of 叫 (two threads twisted together) + 虫 insect/creature (here, in its original sense of "snake," suggesting a dragon; compare 虹) → serpentine beast conceived of as the offspring of a dragon.
俅 (9) キュウ
求 (Type 1 Phonetic) request + 人 person → person assuming a reverential attitude in supplication.
賕 (14) キュウ；まいな（う）
求 (Type 1 Phonetic) request + 貝 commodities → accompany a request with a bribe.
璆 (15) キュウ
As per 翏 (Type 3 Phonetic) (separate) + 玉 jewel → round jewel (compare 球), a series of which were fitted separately in an ancient percussion instrument (compare 磬).
糗 (16) キュウ；ほしいい
The previous form of 臭 (Type 1 Phonetic) smell + 米 rice → the smell given off by parched or toasted rice. Also, a lump of dried cooked rice, carried as an army provision (compare 糒 and 餱).
鼽 (16) キュウ
As per 九 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bump up against and bend) + 鼻 nose → nasal obstruction.
枵 (9) キョウ；むな（しい）
As per 号 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bend) + 木 tree/wood → tree bending with rot/decay (compare 朽) → hollow (← hollow stump of a decayed tree) → empty.
鴞 (16) キョウ；ヨウ；ふくろう
As per 号 (Type 1 Phonetic) (bend) + 鳥 bird → owl (← bird that presents a bent-over appearance; compare 舊 the previous form of 旧 as well as 梟, another term in this word family referring to an owl).
嶠 (15) キョウ
As per 喬 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tall and limber → bend; arch) + 山 mountain → high mountain with a curved peak.
撟 (15) キョウ；あ（げる）；た（める）
As per 喬 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tall and limber → bend; arch) + 手 hand/action indicator → roll up (a blind/shade etc.) → raise. Correct is a borrowed meaning, via 矯.
趫 (19) キョウ；すばや（い）；たけ（し）
As per 喬 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tall and limber → bend; arch) + 走 run → leap/bound with great agility → agile; nimble. Also, brave (← fearless fighter ← nimble in combat).
蹻 (19) キョウ；キャク；あ（げる）
As per 喬 (Type 1 Phonetic) (tall and limber → bend; arch) + 足 leg/foot → arch the feet and stand tiptoe. Also, high-soled straw sandals used in mountain climbing.
皦 (18) キョウ；しろ（い）
As per 敫 (Type 1 Phonetic) as described in 激 (curving white spray created by the impact of water upon rocks) + 白 white → bright white; brilliant → clear.
嘵 (15) ギョウ；キョウ
As per 堯 (Type 1 Phonetic), the alternate form of 尭 (person carrying objects high upon the back) + 口 mouth → shout/scream in a high voice → fear.
斅 (20) ギョウ；コウ；おし（える）
As per 學 (Type 1 Phonetic) the previous form of 学 (place of instruction where knowledge is transmitted) + 攴 action indicator → teach; instruct. Compare 教.
姣 (9) コウ；キョウ；うつく（しい）
As per 交 (Type 1 Phonetic) (crosslegged person) + 女 woman → woman standing in an alluring, crosslegged posture → beautiful.
恔 (9) コウ；キョウ；こころよ（い）；わるがしこ（い）
交 (Type 8 Phonetic) here an abbreviated form of 姣 (woman standing in an alluring posture) + 心 heart/emotions → agreeable sensation produced by an attractive woman. Clever and cunning/sly are borrowed meanings, via 狡.
齩 (21) コウ；ゴウ；か（む）
交 (Type 1 Phonetic) cross + 齒 the previous form of 歯 teeth → chew; bite.
殽 (12) コウ；ま（じる）
As per 肴 (Type 1 Phonetic) (meat spread crossways on a grill → cross) + 殳 action indicator → cross; mix → cross/mix up. Meat on the bone and food served with alcohol are atavistic meanings derived from 肴.
翺 (18) コウ；ゴウ；か（ける）
As per 皐 (Type 1 Phonetic) alternate form of 皋 (expansive and curving) + 羽 feather/wing → the expansive, curved wings of a bird soaring high in the sky → fly high.
墝 (15) コウ；キョウ
As per 堯 (Type 1 Phonetic), the alternate form of 尭 (person carrying objects high upon the back) + 土 earth → land unsuitable for agriculture on account of being overrun with stones.
皜 (15) コウ
As per 高 (Type 1 Phonetic) (high place → high and dry → white [← white as a bleached landscape; compare 皓]) + 白 white (for emphasis) → pure white (especially with regard to places/objects that are dry).
篙 (16) コウ；さお
高 (Type 1 Phonetic) tall/high + 竹 bamboo → long bamboo pole used to guide and propel small rivercraft.
顥 (21) コウ；しろ（い）
As per 景 (Type 5 Phonetic) (expansive view on a sunny day → brilliant sunlight) + 頁 head → a shiny pate → whitish brightness extending over a wide area.
灝 (24) コウ
As per 顥 (Type 1 Phonetic) (extend over a wide area) + 水 water → vast expanse of water → wide.
聱 (17) ゴウ
敖 (Type 8 Phonetic) here an abbreviated fo | |
