凂
to request, to ask a favour of
Strokes9
Readings
On'yomi
- バイ
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
凂 centers on making a request or asking a favor of someone.
Study
Etymology
凂 is a rare character. It combines 冫 (ice) with 免 (excuse, avoid), but the historical reason for this combination is uncertain. It may be a phono-semantic compound where 免 contributes the sound and 冫 adds a semantic nuance, but the exact development is unclear.
Meaning mnemonic
The ice radical 冫 suggests a cold, hesitant atmosphere, while 免 can mean 'excuse' or 'avoid'. Picture someone nervously asking a favor, their words freezing in the cold air as they try to avoid being a burden.
Reading mnemonic
For バイ, imagine someone saying 'bye' after you refuse their request: 'bye' -> バイ. The cold shoulder (冫) makes them excuse themselves (免) and leave.