碓
pestle
StatusJinmeiyōFrequencyTop 5,000Strokes13
Readings
On'yomi
- カク
- タイ
Kun'yomi
- たし.か
- かく.たる
Nanori
- う
- うす
Meaning
碓 centers on a stone tool used for pounding or grinding: a pestle. The meaning is concrete and specific, without broad abstract extensions.
Most common words using 碓
- 碓氷峠うすいとうげ
Usui Pass
Study
Etymology
碓 combines 石 (stone) with 隹, which likely contributes the sound. The character refers to a stone pestle or mortar, fitting the stone component.
Meaning mnemonic
A stone (石) on the left, and a bird-like shape (隹) on the right. Imagine a heavy stone pestle shaped like a bird, used for pounding grains.
Reading mnemonic
For カク, picture a stone pestle cracking a nut with a sharp sound: crack -> カク. The stone tool cracks the shell.