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Kotomora

潟

lagoon

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · grade 4FrequencyTop 2,000Strokes15

Readings

On'yomi

  • セキ

Kun'yomi

  • かた
  • -がた

Nanori

  • がら

Meaning

潟 centers on a shallow coastal body of water partially separated from the sea: a lagoon.

Most common words using 潟

20 of 27

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Etymology

潟 combines 氵 (water) with 舄, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of a marshy or saline flat. The exact historical development of 舄 is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

Water 氵 beside the unusual shape 舄, which looks like a mortar 臼 over a fire 灬, suggests a shallow basin where water sits: a lagoon.

Reading mnemonic

For セキ, imagine a lagoon so still it reflects the sky like a mirror: the reflection is a 'second sky' -> セキ.