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Kotomora

儋

small jar, to bear a burden, load of two

Strokes15

Readings

On'yomi

  • タン
  • セン

Kun'yomi

  • にな.う
  • こがめ

Meaning

儋 centers on carrying a physical load, especially a burden borne by a person. The specific sense of a small jar and a load of two are natural extensions of this idea of bearing weight.

Study

Etymology

儋 combines 亻 (person) with 詹, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to carrying or bearing. The exact historical development is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

A person 亻 beside 詹, which looks like a container with a lid and a handle. Picture a person carrying a small jar or a heavy load on their shoulder.

Reading mnemonic

For タン, imagine a person carrying a heavy tan-colored jar: tan -> タン, and the person bears the burden.