雖
although, however
Readings
On'yomi
- スイ
Kun'yomi
- いえど.も
- これ
Meaning
雖 centers on concession: marking a contrast or unexpected result, similar to 'although' or 'however'.
Most common words using 雖
- 嘉肴ありと雖も食らわずんばその旨きを知らずかこうありといえどもくらわずんばそのうまきをしらず
one cannot understand even a holy man's teachings without study; one cannot know the abilities of a great man without putting him to use; one cannot know the delicious taste of fine food without eating it
- 雖もいえども
even though; despite; notwithstanding
- 靴新しと雖も首に加えずくつあたらしといえどもくびにくわえず
there must be a clear distinction between the upper and lower classes; even new shoes must not be worn on the head
Study
Etymology
雖 combines 虫 (insect/reptile) with 隹 (short-tailed bird), but the historical reason for this combination is uncertain. It may have originally been a phonetic loan for the abstract meaning 'although'.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 虽 looks like a mouth 口 over an insect 虫, and the right side 隹 is a bird. Imagine a bird trying to eat an insect, but the insect is protected by a mouth-like barrier: although the bird tries, it cannot reach the insect.
Reading mnemonic
For スイ, imagine a bird trying to eat an insect, but it's too swift: swift -> スイ, although the bird is fast, the insect escapes.