靡
flutter, wave, bow to, obey, seduce
Readings
On'yomi
- ヒ
- ビ
- ミ
Kun'yomi
- なび.く
- ない
- わ.ける
Meaning
靡 centers on yielding or bending under influence: fluttering or waving in the wind, bowing in submission, obeying, or being seduced away from one's own will.
Most common words using 靡
- 靡くなびくN1
to bend; to flutter; to wave
- 風靡ふうび
overwhelming; conquering; dominating; sweeping (the world); swaying
- 淫靡いんび
obscene; indecent; salacious; lascivious; lewd
- 一世を風靡するいっせいをふうびする
take the world by storm; to hold sway over the minds of the people
- 一世風靡いっせいふうび
ruling the times; holding sway over the minds of the people
- 萎靡いび
decline; decay
- 萎靡沈滞いびちんたい
decline of energy and vigour (vigor)
- 靡かすなびかす
to seduce; to win over; to conquer
- 靡かせるなびかせる
to fly (a flag); to stream; to let (one's hair, skirt, etc.) flutter (in the wind)
Study
Etymology
靡 combines 麻 (hemp) with 非 (not, wrong), suggesting hemp fibers that are not rigid and thus bend or flutter easily. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the character likely expresses pliancy or yielding.
Meaning mnemonic
Hemp 麻 fibers are not 非 stiff; they flutter in the wind, bow down, and are easily swayed—just like someone who obeys or is seduced.
Reading mnemonic
For ヒ, imagine the hemp fibers fluttering in a gentle breeze, making a soft 'hee' sound: hee -> ヒ, as they wave and bend.