Skip to content
Kotomora

蹶

stumble

Strokes19

Readings

On'yomi

  • ケツ
  • ケイ

Kun'yomi

  • たお.れる
  • つまず.く

Meaning

蹶 centers on losing one's footing: stumbling or tripping, often with a sense of sudden collapse.

Most common words using 蹶

  • 困蹶こんけつ

    being in a difficult position; being in a tight corner

  • 蹶然けつぜん

    with a spring; with alacrity; resolutely

  • 転蹶てんけつ

    stumbling; tripping; failure

Explore all words using 蹶 →

Study

Etymology

蹶 combines 足 (foot) with 厥, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to stumbling or falling. The exact historical development of 厥 is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side is 足 (foot), and the right side 厥 looks like a person tripping over an obstacle. Picture a foot catching on something and causing a stumble.

Reading mnemonic

For ケツ, imagine a person stumbling and letting out a sudden 'kets!' sound as they trip: kets -> ケツ, matching the stumble meaning.