扞
restrain
Strokes6
Readings
On'yomi
- カン
Kun'yomi
- ふせ.ぐ
Meaning
扞 centers on holding back or stopping something: restraining, checking, or preventing movement or action.
Most common words using 扞
- 扞格かんかく
mutual incompatibility; mutual rejection
Study
Etymology
扞 combines the hand radical 扌 with 干, which likely contributes both sound and the idea of a shield or defense, suggesting restraining with the hand.
Meaning mnemonic
The hand radical 扌 beside 干 (which can suggest a shield or a pole) gives the image of a hand holding a barrier to restrain or block something.
Reading mnemonic
For カン, imagine a hand holding a can firmly to restrain it from rolling away: can -> カン, and the hand keeps it in check.