噏
inhale, absorb, imbibe, compress
Readings
On'yomi
- キュウ
Kun'yomi
- す.う
Meaning
噏 centers on drawing something inward: inhaling air, absorbing a substance, imbibing a liquid, or compressing something into a smaller space. The common thread is a forceful inward movement.
Study
Etymology
噏 combines 口 (mouth) with 翕, which likely contributes both sound and the idea of drawing together or closing. The exact historical development of 翕 is uncertain, but the overall structure suggests a phono-semantic compound related to inward motion through the mouth.
Meaning mnemonic
The mouth 口 on the left and the complex shape 翕 on the right suggest a mouth pulling something in. Picture a mouth forcefully sucking in air or liquid, compressing it inside.
Reading mnemonic
For キュウ, imagine a quick, sharp inhale that sounds like 'kyuu!' — the sound of air rushing in matches the reading キュウ.