惹
attract, captivate
Readings
On'yomi
- ジャク
- ジャ
Kun'yomi
- ひ.く
Meaning
惹 centers on drawing someone in emotionally or mentally: attracting interest or captivating attention. Both given meanings are natural expressions of this pull.
Most common words using 惹
- 惹くひく
to draw (attention, sympathy, etc.); to attract (e.g. interest)
- 惹起じゃっき
bringing about; cause; provocation
- 惹かれるひかれるN1
to be charmed by; to be attracted to; to be taken with; to be drawn to
- 心惹かれるこころひかれる
to feel attracted by; to be fascinated by
- 惹きつけるひきつける
to charm; to attract; to fascinate; to entice
- 惹句じゃっく
catchphrase (esp. in advertising)
Study
Etymology
惹 combines 若 (young, possibly contributing sound) with 心 (heart/mind), suggesting something that pulls at the heart or mind. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the phono-semantic structure is plausible.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 若 looks like a young plant drawing attention, and the bottom 心 is the heart. Picture a young, captivating idea growing and pulling at your heart: 惹 means attract or captivate.
Reading mnemonic
For ジャク, imagine a jack-in-the-box suddenly popping up and captivating everyone: jack -> ジャク, and the surprise attracts all eyes.