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Kotomora

鮿

dried fish

Strokes18

Readings

On'yomi

  • チョウ

Kun'yomi

  • ほしうお

Meaning

鮿 centers on fish that has been preserved by drying: dried fish.

Study

Etymology

鮿 combines 魚 (fish) with 耴, which likely contributes the sound. The exact historical development of 耴 is uncertain, but the character as a whole is used for dried fish.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side is a fish 魚, and the right side 耴 looks like an ear 耳 with a hook 乙, as if the fish is hung by the ear to dry. Picture a fish hanging from a hook through its ear, drying in the sun.

Reading mnemonic

For チョウ, imagine a long line of dried fish hanging in a row, like a queue: queue -> チョウ, but be careful—the sound is closer to 'choh'. Think of a chef named Chou who specializes in drying fish: Chou -> チョウ.