螳
mantis
Strokes17
Readings
On'yomi
- トウ
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
螳 centers on the praying mantis, an insect known for its upright, folded forelegs. The meaning is specific to this insect.
Most common words using 螳
Study
Etymology
螳 combines the insect radical 虫 with the phonetic component 堂, which likely provided the sound. The character was created specifically to name the mantis.
Meaning mnemonic
The insect radical 虫 on the left hints at a bug, and the right side 堂 looks like a hall with a roof. Picture a mantis standing tall like a tiny hall with folded arms.
Reading mnemonic
For トウ, imagine a mantis perched on your toe: toe -> トウ, and the insect sits there like a tiny guardian.