鮓
sushi, seasoned rice
Strokes16
Readings
On'yomi
- サ
Kun'yomi
- すし
Meaning
鮓 centers on sushi and seasoned rice, specifically the older style of fermented fish and rice that evolved into modern sushi.
Study
Etymology
鮓 combines 魚 (fish) with 乍, which likely contributes the sound. The character originally referred to a fermented fish and rice dish, an early form of sushi.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is a fish 魚, and the right side looks like a container or preparation surface. Picture fish being pressed with seasoned rice to make sushi.
Reading mnemonic
For サ, imagine a sushi chef saying 'sa!' as they press the fish onto the rice: sa -> サ.