膺
breast, strike
Strokes17
Readings
On'yomi
- ヨウ
- オウ
Kun'yomi
- むね
Meaning
膺 centers on the chest as a physical and symbolic center: the breast or bosom, and by extension the act of striking or receiving a blow to the chest.
Most common words using 膺
Study
Etymology
膺 combines 䧹 (a phonetic component associated with the chest) with 月 (flesh), emphasizing the bodily chest area. The strike meaning likely extends from the chest as a target or source of force.
Meaning mnemonic
The outer shape 䧹 suggests a bird-like form, and the bottom 月 (flesh) marks the body. Picture a bird puffing out its breast: 膺 is the breast, and striking that breast makes a bold gesture.
Reading mnemonic
For ヨウ, imagine a warrior striking his breast and letting out a bold 'Yo!' as a challenge: Yo -> ヨウ, and the chest is the center of the action.