搔
to scratch
Strokes12
Readings
On'yomi
- ソウ
Kun'yomi
- か.く
Meaning
搔 centers on the action of scratching, typically with a hand or claw-like motion.
Study
Etymology
搔 combines 扌 (hand) with 蚤, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of a scratching or irritating action, similar to a flea's bite.
Meaning mnemonic
A hand 扌 dealing with a flea 蚤: when a flea bites, you scratch with your hand.
Reading mnemonic
For ソウ, imagine scratching a sore spot: the sore feeling cues ソウ while your hand scratches.