囮
decoy, lure, stool pigeon
Strokes7
Readings
On'yomi
- カ
- ユウ
Kun'yomi
- おとり
Meaning
囮 centers on something used to attract and trap: a decoy, lure, or bait, including a person used as a stool pigeon.
Most common words using 囮
- 囮おとり
live decoy (for hunting)
Study
Etymology
囮 combines the enclosure 囗 with 化 (change, transform). The exact historical development is uncertain, but the structure likely suggests something transformed or disguised within an enclosure, fitting the decoy meaning.
Meaning mnemonic
Inside the enclosure 囗, something is changing (化) into a fake version of itself. Picture a box where a plain object is transformed into a tempting lure to trap the unwary.
Reading mnemonic
For カ, imagine a clever crow (カラス) using a shiny lure to trick other birds: カ from カラス, and the crow's decoy sits inside the enclosure.