熟
mellow, ripen, mature, acquire skill
Readings
On'yomi
- ジュク
Kun'yomi
- う.れる
Meaning
熟 centers on the idea of something reaching its full, softened, or perfected state through time or effort: fruit ripening, flavors mellowing, a person maturing, or skills becoming polished through practice.
Most common words using 熟
20 of 99- 熟すこなすN2
to digest
- 熟しこなし
carriage; movement (of the body)
- 成熟せいじゅくN1
maturity; ripeness
- 熟練じゅくれん
skill; expertise; experience; proficiency; mastery; dexterity
- 熟成じゅくせい
maturing; ripening; aging; ageing; curing; fermenting
- 熟語じゅくごN2
kanji compound
- 熟睡じゅくすい
deep sleep; sound sleep; profound sleep
- 熟知じゅくち
being familiar with; having a thorough knowledge of; being well-informed about
- 半熟はんじゅく
half-cooked; half-done; soft-boiled
- 熟するじゅくする
to ripen; to mature
- 完熟かんじゅく
full ripeness; full maturity
- 習熟しゅうじゅく
proficiency; mastery; becoming proficient (in)
- 熟れうれ
maturity; ripeness
- 熟れこなれ
digestion; digestibility
- 熟考じゅっこう
careful consideration; deliberation; thinking over carefully
- 熟年じゅくねん
mature in age and wisdom; middle-aged
- 熟慮じゅくりょ
deliberation; (thoughtful) consideration
- 熟読じゅくどく
careful reading; reading thoroughly; perusal
- 早熟そうじゅくN1
precocity; early ripening; premature development
- 熟達じゅくたつ
mastery
Study
Etymology
熟 combines 孰 (which historically relates to cooking or thoroughness) with 灬 (fire), suggesting the idea of cooking something until it is done, and by extension ripening, maturing, or becoming skilled.
Meaning mnemonic
The top part 孰 looks like a pot being tended, and the bottom 灬 is fire. Picture fruit simmering over fire until it becomes soft, mellow, and perfectly ripe—just like a skill that matures with practice.
Reading mnemonic
For ジュク, imagine a ripe, juicy fruit falling into a pot: 'juicy cook' blends into ジュク as the fruit mellows over the fire.