橄
olive
Strokes16
Readings
On'yomi
- カン
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
橄 centers on the olive tree and its fruit. The meaning is narrow and botanical, referring specifically to olives.
Most common words using 橄
- 橄欖かんらん
Chinese white olive (Canarium album)
Study
Etymology
橄 combines 木 (tree) with 敢, which likely contributes the sound. The character was created to name the olive tree, a plant not native to East Asia.
Meaning mnemonic
The tree radical 木 beside 敢 suggests a specific kind of tree. Picture a daring (敢) tree that thrives in Mediterranean climates: the olive tree.
Reading mnemonic
For カン, imagine a can of olives sitting under the olive tree: can -> カン, and the tree produces the fruit that fills the can.