鼯
flying squirrel
Readings
On'yomi
- ゴ
Kun'yomi
- むささび
Meaning
鼯 refers specifically to the flying squirrel, a type of rodent known for gliding between trees.
Most common words using 鼯
- アメリカ鼯鼠アメリカももんが
southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans)
- 偽袋鼯鼠にせふくろももんが
feathertail possum (Distoechurus pennatus); feather-tailed possum
- 大アメリカ鼯鼠おおアメリカももんが
northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus)
- 大袋鼯鼠おおふくろももんが
yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis)
- 大陸鼯鼠たいりくももんが
Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans)
- 尾太袋鼯鼠おぶとふくろももんが
squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis)
- 禿袋鼯鼠ちびふくろももんが
feather-tailed glider (Acrobates pygmaeus); feathertail glider; flying mouse; pygmy gliding possum
- 蝦夷鼯鼠えぞももんが
Pteromys volans orii (subspecies of the Siberian flying squirrel, endemic to Hokkaido)
- 袋鼯鼠ふくろももんが
sugar glider (species of flying phalanger, Petaurus breviceps)
- 袋鼯鼠騙ふくろももんがだまし
Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri)
- 鼯鼠もみ
flying squirrel
Study
Etymology
鼯 is a phono-semantic compound: the left radical 鼠 (rat, mouse) indicates the animal, and the right component 吾 likely provides the sound. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 鼠 means rat or mouse, and the right side 吾 looks like a stretched-out shape. Imagine a mouse with a cape-like membrane gliding through the air: a flying squirrel.
Reading mnemonic
For ゴ, picture a flying squirrel going from tree to tree: go -> ゴ, as it glides away.