躊
hesitate
Strokes21
Readings
On'yomi
- チュウ
- チュ
- シュウ
- ジュ
Kun'yomi
- ためら.う
Meaning
躊 centers on pausing before acting: hesitating, wavering, or being unable to decide quickly.
Most common words using 躊
Study
Etymology
躊 combines 足 (foot) with 壽, which likely contributes the sound. The foot radical suggests hesitation in movement, matching the meaning of wavering or pausing before stepping.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is 足 (foot), and the right side is 壽, a complex shape that looks like a tangled path. Picture a foot hovering over a confusing path, hesitating to take the next step.
Reading mnemonic
For チュウ, imagine a person hesitating at a crossroads, making a soft 'chew' sound while thinking: chew -> チュウ, as they pause before moving.