跎
slip, stumble, falter, vacillate
Strokes12
Readings
On'yomi
- タ
Kun'yomi
- つまず.く
Meaning
跎 centers on losing one's footing or stability: slipping, stumbling, faltering, or vacillating in movement or resolve.
Study
Etymology
跎 combines 足 (foot) with 它, which likely contributes the sound. The structure suggests a foot-related action, consistent with slipping or stumbling.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 足 means foot, and the right side 它 looks like a snake or something unstable. Picture a foot stepping on a snake-like shape and slipping.
Reading mnemonic
For タ, imagine a foot slipping on a tar patch: tar -> タ, and the foot stumbles.