胭
rouge, cosmetics
Strokes10
Readings
On'yomi
- イン
- エン
- エツ
Kun'yomi
- むせ.ぶ
- むせ.る
- のど
- の.む
Meaning
胭 centers on cosmetic coloring applied to the skin, especially rouge. The meaning extends naturally to cosmetics in general.
Most common words using 胭
- 胭脂魚イェンツーユイ
Chinese high fin banded shark (Myxocyprinus asiaticus); Chinese sucker
Study
Etymology
胭 combines ⺼ (flesh, body part) with 因, which likely contributes the sound. The character is associated with the throat or with rouge, but the exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The flesh component ⺼ suggests something applied to the body, and 因 can be thought of as a container. Picture a pot of rouge being dabbed onto the skin: 胭 is cosmetics.
Reading mnemonic
For イン, imagine applying rouge inside an inn: inn -> イン, and the rouge colors your cheeks.