昕
dawn, early morning, day
Strokes8
Readings
On'yomi
- キン
- コン
- キ
Kun'yomi
- あさ
Meaning
昕 centers on the first light of day: dawn, early morning, and by extension the day itself as it begins.
Study
Etymology
昕 combines 日 (sun) with 斤, which likely contributes the sound. The exact historical role of 斤 is uncertain, but the character is understood as representing the rising sun at dawn.
Meaning mnemonic
The sun 日 rises beside an axe 斤 at dawn, as if chopping through the darkness to start the day.
Reading mnemonic
For キン, imagine the sun's first light glinting off the axe blade: glint -> キン, and the dawn breaks.