冽
cold
Strokes8
Readings
On'yomi
- レツ
- レイ
Kun'yomi
- きよ.い
Meaning
冽 centers on piercing coldness, often of water or air. It describes a sharp, clear chill rather than a mild coolness.
Most common words using 冽
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Etymology
冽 combines 冫 (ice) with 列, which likely contributes the sound and reinforces the idea of a sharp, cutting cold. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The ice radical 冫 beside 列 (line up) suggests a line of ice crystals: a sharp, piercing cold.
Reading mnemonic
For レツ, imagine a line of ice so cold it makes you shiver and say 'let's get out of here!' — 'let's' cues レツ while the ice radical reinforces the cold.