狉
fox-cub
Strokes8
Readings
On'yomi
- ヒ
Kun'yomi
- こだぬき
Meaning
狉 refers specifically to a fox-cub, a young fox.
Study
Etymology
狉 combines the animal radical 犭 with 丕, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the character is used for a young fox.
Meaning mnemonic
The animal radical 犭 hints at a creature, and 丕 looks a bit like a small, curled-up animal. Picture a tiny fox cub curled up beside its mother.
Reading mnemonic
For ヒ, imagine a fox-cub letting out a high-pitched 'hee' sound: hee -> ヒ, the little cry of a young fox.