冴
be clear, serene, cold, skilful
Readings
On'yomi
- ゴ
- コ
Kun'yomi
- さ.える
- こお.る
- ひ.える
Nanori
- さえ
- さえる
Meaning
冴 centers on a sharp, clear state: the crisp clarity of cold air, a serene mind, or a skilful, polished ability. The meanings all share the idea of something being honed to a clear, distinct edge.
Most common words using 冴
- 冴えさえ
clearness; clarity
- 冴えるさえるN1
to be clear (of a sight, sound, colour, etc.); to be bright; to be vivid; to be crisp
- 冴えないさえないN1
dull; dreary; sullen; depressed
- 目が冴えるめがさえるN1
to be wide-awake; to be wakeful; to be unable to sleep
- 冴え冴えさえざえ
clearly; brightly; freshly
- 冴え冴えしたさえざえした
cheerful (look); healthy (complexion)
- 冴え冴えとしたさえざえとした
cheerful (look); healthy (complexion)
- 冴え渡るさえわたる
to be clear; to be distinct; to be precise
- 冴え行くさえゆく
to clear gradually; to get cold gradually
- 冴え輝くさえかがやく
to shine clearly
- 冴え返るさえかえる
to be very clear
- 冴寒ごかん
extreme cold
- 腕の冴えうでのさえ
dexterity; skill
- 頭の冴えあたまのさえ
bright intelligence
Study
Etymology
冴 is the modern simplified form of 冱. It combines 冫 (ice) with 牙, which likely contributes the sound. The older form 冱 used 互 instead of 牙. The exact historical development of the 牙 component is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The ice radical 冫 brings the cold, and 牙 looks like a sharp fang. Together, picture a cold, clear winter night so sharp it feels like an icy fang piercing the air—everything is crisp, serene, and skilfully sharp.
Reading mnemonic
For ゴ, imagine a cold, serene go master sitting by an icy pond, perfectly still and clear-minded: go -> ゴ, and the scene is as sharp and clear as the kanji's meaning.