鏽
rust, corrode
Strokes20
Readings
On'yomi
- シュウ
Kun'yomi
- さび
Meaning
鏽 centers on metal breaking down through oxidation: rusting or corroding. The meanings are tightly linked to the chemical decay of metal surfaces.
Study
Etymology
鏽 combines 金 (metal) with 肅, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to the idea of deterioration or solemn decay. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
Metal (金) on the left, and 肅 on the right looks like a solemn, decaying structure. Picture a once-proud metal gate now rusted and corroded, its surface flaking away.
Reading mnemonic
For シュウ, imagine a rusty metal shoe (シュウ) left out in the rain: the shoe rusts and corrodes, and シュウ sounds just like 'shoe'.