嚮
guide, direct, incline to, favor
Strokes19
Readings
On'yomi
- コウ
- キョウ
Kun'yomi
- さきに
- むか.う
Meaning
嚮 centers on directing movement or attention toward something: guiding, leading, or inclining toward a target. The favor sense is a natural extension of leaning toward or preferring one option.
Most common words using 嚮
- 嚮導きょうどう
guidance; leading (the way); taking point; conducting
Study
Etymology
嚮 is a phono-semantic compound with 向 (direction, facing) contributing meaning and sound, and 鄉 possibly reinforcing the idea of a direction or place. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 鄉 suggests a place or direction, and the bottom 向 means to face. Together, they show facing a direction and guiding someone toward it.
Reading mnemonic
For コウ, imagine a guide calling out 'Go!' to direct the group: 'Go!' -> コウ, and the guide leads the way.