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Kotomora

猝

sudden

Strokes11

Readings

On'yomi

  • ソツ

Kun'yomi

  • にわか

Meaning

猝 centers on something happening abruptly and without warning: a sudden event or change.

Study

Etymology

猝 combines 犭 (dog/animal) with 卒, which likely contributes the sound ソツ and may carry a sense of abruptness or suddenness. The exact historical development is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

A wild animal (犭) suddenly (卒) leaps out: 猝 means sudden.

Reading mnemonic

For ソツ, imagine a sudden event that makes you say "Sots!" (like a quick, surprised sound). The suddenness of 猝 is captured in that sharp, abrupt sound: Sots -> ソツ.