竭
end, exhaust
Strokes14
Readings
On'yomi
- ケツ
Kun'yomi
- つく.す
Meaning
竭 centers on using something up completely: bringing something to its end or exhausting a resource until nothing remains.
Most common words using 竭
- 甘井先ず竭くかんせいまずつく
the flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long; the well with sweet water will be the first to run dry
Study
Etymology
竭 combines 立 (stand) with 曷, which likely contributes the sound. The exact historical development of the meaning 'exhaust' from these components is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
A person 立 standing beside a complex shape 曷 that looks like a container being emptied: standing there until everything is exhausted and comes to an end.
Reading mnemonic
For ケツ, imagine a kettle (ケツ) boiling dry until all the water is exhausted: kettle -> ケツ, and the kanji means to use up completely.