Skip to content
Kotomora

俤

visage, face, trace, shadow, memory, (kokuji)

Strokes9

Readings

On'yomi

—

Kun'yomi

  • おもかげ

Nanori

  • てい

Meaning

俤 centers on a lingering impression of someone or something: a visage, a trace, a shadow, or a memory that remains after the original is gone.

Study

Etymology

俤 is a kokuji (a kanji created in Japan) that combines 亻 (person) with 弟, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of a younger brother or follower, suggesting a person's lingering image or trace.

Meaning mnemonic

A person 亻 beside 弟 (younger brother) suggests someone looking back at a younger sibling's face or remembering their features. 俤 is the visage or memory that stays with you.

Reading mnemonic

For おもかげ, imagine a person gazing at a fading photo of their younger brother and whispering 'Oh, my kage (shadow) of memory': 'Oh, my kage' -> おもかげ, capturing the trace of a face.