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Kotomora

噢

moan, interjection for pain, sad

Strokes16

Readings

On'yomi

  • ユウ
  • イク
  • ウ
  • ク

Kun'yomi

  • うめ.く

Meaning

噢 centers on vocal expressions of distress: a moan, a cry of pain, or a sound of sadness. The interjection sense is a direct use of that pained vocalization.

Study

Etymology

噢 combines 口 (mouth) with 奧, which likely contributes the sound. The mouth radical points to a vocal sound, fitting the meanings of moaning or crying out.

Meaning mnemonic

The mouth 口 beside the complex 奧 shape suggests a deep, muffled sound coming from the mouth. Picture someone with their mouth open, letting out a low moan of pain or sadness.

Reading mnemonic

For ユウ, imagine the drawn-out moan 'yuuuu' escaping from the mouth 口: the sound 'yuu' directly cues ユウ while the person moans in pain.