蘿
ivy
Readings
On'yomi
- ラ
Kun'yomi
- つた
Meaning
蘿 centers on ivy, a climbing or trailing plant. The meaning is specific to this type of plant.
Most common words using 蘿
- 蘿蔔すずしろ
daikon (variety of large white Oriental radish, Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus)
- 松蘿しょうら
old man's beard (any lichen of genus Usnea)
- 繊蘿蔔せんろふ
daikon julienne; julienned daikon
- 胡蘿蔔こらふ
carrot
- 菠蘿包ポーローパーウ
pineapple bun (Chinese sweet pastry similar to the Japanese melonpan); bolo bao
- 蘿かげ
common clubmoss (Lycopodium clavatum); stag's-horn clubmoss; running clubmoss; ground pine
- 蘿芋ががいも
rough potato (Metaplexis japonica)
- 蘿蔔草すずしろそう
Arabis flagellosa (species of rockcress)
Study
Etymology
蘿 combines the plant radical 艹 with 羅, which likely contributes the sound ラ. The character is used for ivy or similar climbing plants.
Meaning mnemonic
The plant top 艹 over 羅 suggests a net-like spreading plant: ivy climbing and covering surfaces like a net.
Reading mnemonic
For ラ, imagine ivy growing in a lush tropical setting: la -> ラ, like the sound of a gentle breeze through the leaves.