徇
herald, announce, follow, obey, seek, lay down one's life
Readings
On'yomi
- ジュン
- シュン
Kun'yomi
- あまねし
- したが.う
- とな.える
Meaning
徇 centers on public declaration and self-sacrificing commitment: heralding or announcing something widely, and following through even to the point of laying down one's life. The obey and seek senses are natural extensions of this devoted, declarative action.
Study
Etymology
徇 combines 彳 (movement, going) with 旬, which likely contributes the sound. The character is associated with proclaiming or making something known widely, and by extension, following or sacrificing oneself for a cause.
Meaning mnemonic
A person (彳) moving through a ten-day period (旬) to announce a message everywhere, even at the cost of their life. The dedication to spreading the word captures both the herald and self-sacrifice meanings.
Reading mnemonic
For ジュン, imagine a herald in June announcing a decree: June -> ジュン, and the herald follows the order without question.