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Kotomora

啐

to taste, to sip, to spit, the sound of sipping, to surprise

Strokes11

Readings

On'yomi

  • サイ
  • セ
  • サ
  • シュツ
  • シュチ
  • カツ
  • カチ

Kun'yomi

  • おどろ.く
  • よ.ぶ
  • さけ.ぶ
  • しか.る

Meaning

啐 centers on a sudden oral action: tasting or sipping, but also spitting or a sharp sound of surprise. The meanings split between a controlled intake (taste, sip) and an abrupt expulsion or vocal reaction (spit, surprise).

Most common words using 啐

  • 啐啄そったく

    once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; golden opportunity

  • 啐啄同時そったくどうじ

    timing is everything; don't jump the gun

Explore all words using 啐 →

Study

Etymology

啐 combines 口 (mouth) with 卒, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the character is associated with oral actions and sounds.

Meaning mnemonic

A mouth 口 beside 卒: imagine a soldier (卒) suddenly tasting a drink, then spitting it out in surprise. The mouth action covers both sipping and spitting.

Reading mnemonic

For サイ, picture a sigh of surprise: sigh -> サイ, as the mouth 口 lets out a sharp sound.