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Kotomora

鸝

Chinese oriole

Strokes30

Readings

On'yomi

  • リ
  • レイ
  • ライ

Kun'yomi

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Meaning

鸝 centers on a specific bird: the Chinese oriole. The meaning is narrow and refers directly to that bird species.

Study

Etymology

鸝 combines 麗 (likely contributing sound) with 鳥 (bird) to name the Chinese oriole. The exact historical development is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

A beautiful (麗) bird (鳥) with striking plumage: that is the Chinese oriole.

Reading mnemonic

For リ, imagine a Chinese oriole perched on a lychee tree: lychee -> リ, and the bird sings among the fruit.