淹
dip, soak, immerse, stop, linger
Strokes11
Readings
On'yomi
- エン
Kun'yomi
- い.れる
Meaning
淹 centers on submerging something in liquid: dipping, soaking, or immersing. The extended senses of stopping or lingering come from the idea of being held in place, as if submerged.
Most common words using 淹
- 淹れるいれる
to make (tea, coffee, etc.); to brew a beverage (with hot water)
Study
Etymology
淹 combines 氵 (water) with 奄, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of covering or submerging. The exact historical development of 奄 is uncertain, but the water radical clearly points to immersion.
Meaning mnemonic
Water 氵 on the left and 奄 on the right: picture a hand holding something down into water until it is completely soaked and stopped from moving.
Reading mnemonic
For エン, imagine dipping a pen into ink and letting it soak: pen -> エン, and the water radical 氵 reinforces the liquid scene.