Skip to content
Kotomora

伶

actor

JLPTN1StatusJinmeiyōStrokes7

Readings

On'yomi

  • レイ
  • リョウ

Kun'yomi

  • わざおぎ

Nanori

  • れ

Meaning

伶 centers on a performer who acts or entertains, specifically an actor. The meaning is narrow and concrete.

Most common words using 伶

  • 伶人れいじん

    court musician; minstrel

  • 伶人草れいじんそう

    Aconitum loczyanum (monkshood species)

  • 伶官れいかん

    court musician

Explore all words using 伶 →

Study

Etymology

伶 combines 亻 (person) with 令, which likely contributes the sound. The character originally referred to a performer or actor.

Meaning mnemonic

A person 亻 beside 令: imagine an actor receiving a command (令) to perform on stage.

Reading mnemonic

For レイ, picture an actor laying down a performance: lay -> レイ, and the actor takes the stage.