淀
pool, eddy
Readings
On'yomi
- テン
- デン
Kun'yomi
- よど.む
Meaning
淀 centers on still or slowly moving water that collects in one place: a pool or an eddy where water swirls gently.
Most common words using 淀
- 淀むよどむN1
to stagnate
- 淀みよどみ
stagnation; deposit; sediment; backwater
- 早牛も淀、遅牛も淀はやうしもよど、おそうしもよど
there is no point in hurrying; hurry no man's cattle; fast oxen (leaving Kyoto) end up in Yodo (just south of Kyoto), slow oxen also end up in Yodo
- 淀みないよどみない
fluent; smooth; flowing
- 淀み無くよどみなく
fluently; without hesitation; without faltering
- 淀木瓜よどぼけ
Choenomeles lagenaria; yodoboke flowering quince
- 遅牛も淀、早牛も淀おそうしもよど、はやうしもよど
there is no point in hurrying; hurry no man's cattle; slow oxen (leaving Kyoto) end up in Yodo (just south of Kyoto), fast oxen also end up in Yodo
Study
Etymology
淀 combines 氵 (water) with 定, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of settling or becoming still, suggesting water that has settled into a pool or eddy.
Meaning mnemonic
Water 氵 plus 定 (settle) gives the image of water that has settled into a calm pool or a slow eddy.
Reading mnemonic
For テン, picture a still pool under a tent: tent -> テン, and the water inside the tent is calm and settled.