丐
beggar, beg, give
Strokes4
Readings
On'yomi
- カイ
Kun'yomi
- こ.う
Meaning
丐 centers on the act of seeking something from others: begging for alms, or giving to someone in need. The meanings are linked by the idea of a request for help.
Most common words using 丐
- 乞丐こつがい
beggar; bum
Study
Etymology
The historical origin of 丐 is uncertain. It may have originally depicted a person bending or reaching out, but the modern form is highly stylized and its component development is unclear.
Meaning mnemonic
The shape looks like a person with an outstretched arm and a bent back, humbly asking for help. Picture a beggar reaching out with a bowl.
Reading mnemonic
For カイ, imagine a kind person giving a kite to a beggar: kite -> カイ, and the beggar's face lights up.