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Kotomora

腥

bloody, smelling of fish, raw smelling

Strokes13

Readings

On'yomi

  • セイ
  • ショウ

Kun'yomi

  • なまぐさ.い

Meaning

腥 centers on a strong, unpleasant raw smell, especially the metallic scent of blood or the fishy odor of raw seafood.

Study

Etymology

腥 combines ⺼ (flesh/meat) with 星, which likely contributes the sound and may suggest a raw, bloody quality associated with fresh meat or fish.

Meaning mnemonic

The flesh radical ⺼ beside 星 (star) suggests raw meat or fish left out under the stars, becoming bloody and smelly.

Reading mnemonic

For セイ, imagine saying 'say' to the raw, smelly fish: 'Say, that's bloody!' The word 'say' cues セイ while the scene reinforces the raw smell.