聟
son-in-law
Strokes14
Readings
On'yomi
- セイ
Kun'yomi
- むこ
Meaning
聟 centers on the family relationship of a son-in-law: a man married to one's daughter.
Study
Etymology
聟 is a variant form of 婿, combining 知 (know) and 耳 (ear), possibly suggesting a son-in-law as someone who listens and understands the family. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
A son-in-law is someone who knows (知) how to listen (耳) to his new family.
Reading mnemonic
For セイ, imagine a son-in-law saying 'say' (セイ) the right thing to his in-laws, using his knowledge and ears.