Skip to content
Kotomora

獷

fierce, rude, uncivilized

Strokes18

Readings

On'yomi

  • コウ
  • キョウ
  • ク

Kun'yomi

  • あら.い

Meaning

獷 centers on wild, untamed behavior: fierce, rude, or uncivilized. The meanings all point to a lack of restraint or refinement, like a wild animal acting on raw instinct.

Study

Etymology

獷 combines 犭 (animal) with 廣, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of broadness or wildness. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the character suggests a wild, untamed animal.

Meaning mnemonic

The animal radical 犭 beside 廣 (broad, expansive) suggests a beast roaming wide and free, acting fierce and uncivilized.

Reading mnemonic

For コウ, imagine a fierce animal letting out a loud, deep growl: 'KOH!' The sound cues コウ while the beast shows its rude, uncivilized nature.