注
pour, irrigate, shed (tears), flow into, concentrate on, notes, comment, annotate
Readings
On'yomi
- チュウ
Kun'yomi
- そそ.ぐ
- さ.す
- つ.ぐ
Meaning
注 centers on directing a flow: pouring liquid, shedding tears, or channeling attention. The note/comment sense extends from the idea of directing written remarks onto a text.
Most common words using 注
21 of 229- 注意ちゅういN4
attention; notice; heed
- 注目ちゅうもくN3
notice; attention; observation
- 注文ちゅうもんN4
order (for an item)
- 注ぐそそぐN3
to pour (into)
- 注ぐつぐN3
to pour (into a vessel); to fill (a cup, bowl, etc.) with; to dish out (food or drink)
- 注ちゅうN3
annotation; explanatory note; comment
- 注射ちゅうしゃN4
injection; jab; shot
- 発注はっちゅう
ordering (materials); placing an order; order
- 受注じゅちゅう
accepting an order; receiving an order; orders received; closed won
- 注入ちゅうにゅう
pouring; injection
- 注釈ちゅうしゃく
notes; comment; remark; annotation
- 注意報ちゅういほうN1
advisory
- 注ぎ込むそそぎこむ
to pour in (liquids)
- 傾注けいちゅう
devoting (oneself) to; concentrating (one's efforts) on
- 注意深いちゅういぶかいN1
attentive; cautious; careful; watchful
- 不注意ふちゅういN1
carelessness; inattention; thoughtlessness; negligence
- 要注意ようちゅういN1
need for caution; need for care; requiring special attention
- 予約注文よやくちゅうもん
pre-order; advance order
- 取扱注意とりあつかいちゅうい
handling warning
- 大注目だいちゅうもく
(paying) a great deal of attention (to)
- 注すさす
to pour; to add (liquid); to serve (drinks)
Study
Etymology
注 combines 氵 (water) with 主, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of a main flow. The note sense developed later as a metaphorical extension of directing words.
Meaning mnemonic
Water 氵 flows toward the main 主 point: imagine pouring water into a central vessel, directing it exactly where it needs to go. That same focus applies to annotating a text with notes.
Reading mnemonic
For チュウ, picture a chef pouring sauce while saying 'chew' to remind you to taste it: chew -> チュウ, and the sauce flows from the ladle.