鼢
variety of mole
Strokes17
Readings
On'yomi
- フン
Kun'yomi
- もぐらもち
Meaning
鼢 refers to a specific variety of mole, a small burrowing mammal. The meaning is narrow and zoological, with no broader conceptual center beyond this animal type.
Study
Etymology
鼢 combines 鼠 (rat/mouse) with 分, which likely provides the sound. The character is a phono-semantic compound for a mole-like animal.
Meaning mnemonic
A mouse 鼠 that divides 分 the earth with its burrowing: a mole.
Reading mnemonic
For フン, imagine a mole making a funny 'fun' sound as it digs: fun -> フン.