𠂢
to branch
Strokes6
Readings
On'yomi
- ハ
- ハイ
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
𠂢 centers on the idea of branching or diverging from a main path, like a river splitting into streams. Its meaning is narrow and primarily used as a component in other characters.
Study
Etymology
𠂢 is an ancient pictograph of a river branching into tributaries. The modern form retains the branching shape, but its exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The shape looks like a main vertical stroke splitting into two curved branches at the bottom, like a river dividing. Picture water flowing down and separating into two streams.
Reading mnemonic
For ハ, imagine a river branching into two paths that form the shape of the katakana ハ: ハ -> ハ, and the branching water mirrors the character.