菁
turnip
Strokes11
Readings
On'yomi
- セイ
- ショウ
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
菁 centers on the turnip plant, specifically its edible root. The meaning is narrow and concrete, referring to this particular vegetable.
Most common words using 菁
Study
Etymology
菁 combines the grass radical 艹 with 青, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to the green color of the turnip plant. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The grass radical 艹 sits above 青 (blue-green), like the leafy green tops of a turnip growing above the blue-green root. Together they make the turnip plant.
Reading mnemonic
For セイ, imagine a turnip saying 'say' as it pops out of the ground: say -> セイ, and the turnip speaks its name.