桅
mast of ship
Strokes10
Readings
On'yomi
- ガイ
- キ
Kun'yomi
- くちなし
Meaning
桅 centers on the mast of a ship, the tall vertical spar that supports sails.
Study
Etymology
桅 combines 木 (tree/wood) with 危, which likely contributes the sound and may suggest something tall or precarious, fitting the mast of a ship.
Meaning mnemonic
A wooden (木) mast stands tall and looks dangerous (危) when you climb it: 桅 is the mast of a ship.
Reading mnemonic
For ガイ, imagine a guy climbing the mast: guy -> ガイ, and he holds onto the wooden mast for dear life.