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Kotomora

鶺

wagtail

Strokes21

Readings

On'yomi

  • セキ

Kun'yomi

—

Meaning

鶺 refers specifically to the wagtail, a small bird known for its long tail that bobs up and down.

Most common words using 鶺

  • 鶺鴒せきれい

    any bird of family Motacillidae (excluding the pipits); wagtail; longclaw

  • 白鶺鴒はくせきれい

    black-backed wagtail (Motacilla alba lugens)

  • 背黒鶺鴒せぐろせきれい

    Japanese wagtail (Motacilla grandis)

  • 黄鶺鴒きせきれい

    grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea); gray wagtail

Explore all words using 鶺 →

Study

Etymology

鶺 combines 脊 (spine, back) with 鳥 (bird), likely referring to the wagtail's distinctive back-and-tail movement or its slender shape.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 脊 looks like a spine, and the right side 鳥 is a bird. Picture a bird with a very flexible spine that lets it wag its tail constantly: that's the wagtail.

Reading mnemonic

For セキ, imagine a wagtail perched on a stone seat (セキ) by a stream, bobbing its tail: seat -> セキ.