癢
itchy
Strokes20
Readings
On'yomi
- ヨウ
Kun'yomi
- かゆ.い
Meaning
癢 centers on the sensation of itchiness, often associated with skin irritation or a strong urge to scratch.
Most common words using 癢
- 技癢ぎよう
itching to show off one's abilities
Study
Etymology
癢 combines 疒 (sickness) with 養, which likely contributes the sound ヨウ and may hint at a lingering or nourished condition, but the exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The sickness enclosure 疒 wraps around 養 (nourish). Imagine a skin condition that is nourished by scratching, making it even itchier.
Reading mnemonic
For ヨウ, picture a yo-yo dangling from your itchy hand: yo -> ヨウ, and every time you scratch, the yo-yo bounces.