匊
handful
Strokes8
Readings
On'yomi
- キク
- コク
Kun'yomi
- むす.ぶ
- すく.う
- たなごころ
Meaning
匊 centers on the idea of holding a small amount in one hand: a handful. It is a rare character with a narrow, concrete meaning.
Study
Etymology
匊 combines 勹 (wrap, embrace) with 米 (rice), suggesting rice held in a wrapped hand or a handful of rice. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the component combination fits the meaning.
Meaning mnemonic
The outer 勹 looks like a hand cupping something, and inside is 米 (rice). Picture a hand scooping up a handful of rice: that's 匊, a handful.
Reading mnemonic
For キク, imagine a handful of rice being shaped into a small cake (ケーキ) — the 'ki' from cake and the 'ku' from the cupped hand shape together cue キク.