毫
fine hair, brush, not at all
Readings
On'yomi
- ゴウ
- コウ
Kun'yomi
- ごう.も
- すこし
Meaning
毫 centers on extreme smallness or fineness: a single fine hair, the tip of a brush, or the idea of 'not at all' as the smallest possible amount.
Most common words using 毫
- 揮毫きごう
writing (esp. commissioned calligraphy); drawing; painting
- 一毫いちごう
(a) bit; (a) trifle
- 一糸一毫いっしいちごう
tiny amount
- 寸毫すんごう
(not) the slightest bit; (not) the least; (not) at all
- 揮毫料きごうりょう
writing or painting fee
- 毫もごうも
(not) in the least; (not) at all
- 毫光ごうこう
light that is said to be emitted from some hair or tuft in Buddha's forehead; ray of light from the tuft of white hair (between the eyebrows)
- 毫末ごうまつ
minute amount
- 毫釐ごうり
very small quantity
- 白毫びゃくごう
whorl of white hair on the forehead of the Buddha, represented by a white precious stone on statues of Buddha; urna
Study
Etymology
毫 combines 毛 (hair) with a phonetic component that also suggests smallness. The character originally referred to fine hair or a tiny amount.
Meaning mnemonic
The bottom part is 毛 (hair). The top part looks like a tall hat or cover. Imagine a single fine hair sticking out from under a cap—so fine it's almost nothing.
Reading mnemonic
For ゴウ, picture a single fine hair being used as a brush to paint a bold 'Go' sign: Go -> ゴウ, and the hair is so fine it seems like nothing at all.