拷
torture, beat
JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 5,000Strokes9
Readings
On'yomi
- ゴウ
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
拷 centers on inflicting physical pain to extract information or as punishment: torture and beating.
Most common words using 拷
Study
Etymology
拷 combines 扌 (hand) with 考, which likely contributes the sound ゴウ and the idea of examining or testing, suggesting using the hand to interrogate through force.
Meaning mnemonic
The hand radical 扌 beside 考 (think, examine) paints a grim picture: a hand forcing someone to answer questions through beating and torture.
Reading mnemonic
For ゴウ, imagine a torturer shouting 'Go!' as they beat the victim: Go -> ゴウ, and the hand strikes.