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Kotomora

牆

fence, hedge, wall

Strokes17

Readings

On'yomi

  • ショウ

Kun'yomi

  • かき

Meaning

牆 centers on a physical barrier that encloses or divides space: a wall, fence, or hedge. All given meanings are concrete boundary structures.

Most common words using 牆

  • 仏跳牆ぶっちょうしょう

    Buddha Jumps Over the Wall (var. of shark fin soup); Buddha's Temptation; fotiaoqiang

  • 兄弟牆に鬩ぐけいていかきにせめぐ

    to quarrel among friends (or siblings)

  • 垣牆えんしょう

    hedge; fence

Explore all words using 牆 →

Study

Etymology

牆 combines 爿 (a split wood or bed component) with 嗇, which likely contributes the sound. The character is associated with walls and enclosures, but the exact historical development of the components is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 爿 looks like a wooden frame, and the right side 嗇 contains 口 (enclosure) and 土 (earth). Picture a wooden-framed earthen wall or fence enclosing a space.

Reading mnemonic

For ショウ, imagine a show being performed behind a tall fence: show -> ショウ, and the wall hides the stage.