糟
dregs, sediment, grounds
Readings
On'yomi
- コウ
- ソウ
Kun'yomi
- ぬか
Nanori
- かす
Meaning
糟 centers on the leftover solid bits that settle out of a liquid or processed grain: dregs, sediment, or grounds. It is the waste or residue left behind after the useful part is removed.
Most common words using 糟
- 糟を食うかすをくう
to be scolded (mainly used theatrically)
- 糟毛かすげ
roan (type of horse colour (color))
- 糟汁かすじる
soup made with sake lees
- 糟粕そうはく
sake lees
- 糟糠そうこう
chaff and bran; plain food
- 糟糠の妻そうこうのつま
one's devoted wife; wife who has followed one through hard times; wife married in poverty
- 糟酢かすず
vinegar made from sake lees
- 糟鮫かすざめ
Japanese angel shark (Squatina japonica)
Study
Etymology
糟 combines 米 (rice) with 曹, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to the idea of leftover material from grain processing.
Meaning mnemonic
Rice 米 is processed, and the right side 曹 looks like a container with a lid. Picture the leftover dregs and sediment collecting at the bottom of a rice-wine vat.
Reading mnemonic
For コウ, imagine a cook pouring off the clear liquid and leaving the dregs behind: cook -> コウ, and the cook discards the sediment.