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Kotomora

酵

fermentation

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes14

Readings

On'yomi

  • コウ

Kun'yomi

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Meaning

酵 centers on the process of fermentation, where microorganisms transform organic substances, often producing alcohol or acids.

Most common words using 酵

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Etymology

酵 combines 酉 (a wine vessel, often associated with fermentation) with 孝, which likely contributes the sound. The character originally referred to yeast or leaven used in brewing.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 酉 is a wine jar, and the right side 孝 suggests a child helping an elder. Picture a child adding yeast to a jar to start the fermentation process for making wine.

Reading mnemonic

For コウ, imagine a jar of fermenting koji (こうじ, a mold used in fermentation) bubbling away: koji -> コウ, and the jar 酉 is where the fermentation happens.