侏
actor, supporting post
Strokes8
Readings
On'yomi
- シュ
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
侏 centers on a person of short stature or a supporting role: an actor (often a dwarf or jester) or a supporting post. The two meanings connect through the idea of something small or auxiliary that props up a larger structure.
Most common words using 侏
- 侏儒症しゅじゅしょう
dwarfism
Study
Etymology
侏 combines 亻 (person) with 朱, which likely contributes the sound. The character is associated with short stature or supporting roles, but the exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
A person 亻 beside 朱 (a vermilion tree or pillar) suggests a small actor or a supporting post—someone or something that holds up the show.
Reading mnemonic
For シュ, imagine a short actor in a shoe commercial: shoe -> シュ, and the actor is the supporting star.