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Kotomora

阿

Africa, flatter, fawn upon, corner, nook, recess

JLPTN1StatusJinmeiyōFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes8

Readings

On'yomi

  • ア
  • オ

Kun'yomi

  • おもね.る
  • くま

Nanori

  • ほとり
  • あず
  • あわ
  • おか
  • きた
  • な

Meaning

阿 centers on bending toward someone or something: flattering, fawning, or curving into a corner or recess. The Africa meaning is a phonetic loan unrelated to the core idea.

Most common words using 阿

20 of 92
  • 阿呆あほ
    N1

    fool; idiot; simpleton

  • 阿あ

    first Sanskrit alphabet letter

  • 阿諛あゆ

    flattery; adulation

  • 阿波あわ

    Awa (former province located in present-day Tokushima Prefecture)

  • 阿修羅あしゅら

    Asura; demigod; anti-god; titan; demigods that fight the Devas (gods) in Hindu mythology

  • 阿比あび

    red-throated loon (Gavia stellata)

  • 阿片あへん

    opium

  • 阿弥陀あみだ

    Amitabha (Buddha); Amida

  • 阿鼻叫喚あびきょうかん

    agonizing cries; pandemonium; two of Buddhism's hells

  • 阿吽あうん

    Om; Aun; syllable representing the primordial trinity of Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma

  • 南無阿弥陀仏なむあみだぶつ

    Namu Amida Butsu; Hail Amitabha Buddha; Homage to Amida Buddha

  • 阿弥陀如来あみだにょらい

    Amitabha Tathagata; Amithaba

  • 阿闍梨あじゃり

    high monk (esp. one of correct conduct who acts as a role model for his pupils); high priest

  • 元の木阿弥もとのもくあみ

    ending up right back where one started

  • 阿漕あこぎ

    greedy; ruthless; cruel; exploitative

  • 阿婆擦れあばずれ

    bitch; shameless woman

  • 阿弥陀堂あみだどう

    temple hall containing an enshrined image of Amitabha

  • 阿呆らしいあほらしい

    ridiculous

  • 阿魏あぎ

    asafetida (Ferula assafoetida)

  • ド阿呆ドあほ

    total idiot

Explore all words using 阿 →

Study

Etymology

阿 combines ⻖ (hill, mound) with 可, which likely contributes the sound. The original meaning relates to a hillside or curved terrain, which extended to ideas of bending, flattery, and corners.

Meaning mnemonic

The hill radical ⻖ suggests a slope or curve. Picture someone curving their body in a bow on a hillside, flattering a superior, or retreating into a small corner of the hill.

Reading mnemonic

For ア, imagine someone fawning with an exaggerated 'Ah!' of admiration: Ah -> ア, as they flatter from a corner of the room.