懦
weakness, cowardice
Strokes17
Readings
On'yomi
- ダ
- ジュ
- ゼン
Kun'yomi
- よわ.い
Meaning
懦 centers on a lack of inner strength: weakness of character or resolve, leading to cowardice and an inability to stand firm.
Most common words using 懦
Study
Etymology
懦 combines the heart radical 忄 with 需, which likely provides the sound and may suggest a soft or yielding quality. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The heart radical 忄 beside 需 suggests a heart that is soft and yielding like rain (雨) on a weak foundation (而). Picture a timid heart that crumbles under pressure.
Reading mnemonic
For ダ, imagine a cowardly character named Da who always backs down: Da -> ダ, and his weak heart makes him flee.