腮
jaw
Strokes13
Readings
On'yomi
- サイ
Kun'yomi
- あご
- えら
Meaning
腮 centers on the lower part of the face: the jaw. It can also refer to the gills of a fish, which are structurally similar to a jaw.
Study
Etymology
腮 combines the flesh radical ⺼ with 思, which likely provides the sound. The character is used for the jaw or gills, but the exact historical development of this specific combination is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The flesh radical ⺼ on the left suggests a body part, and 思 on the right looks like a thinking face with a prominent jaw. Picture a person deep in thought, resting their chin on their hand, highlighting the jaw.
Reading mnemonic
For サイ, imagine a sigh escaping from your jaw when you are tired: sigh -> サイ, and your jaw drops slightly as you exhale.