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Kotomora

匘

the brain

Strokes11

Readings

On'yomi

  • ノウ
  • ドウ

Kun'yomi

  • のうず.る

Meaning

匘 refers to the brain as a physical organ. It is a rare kanji with a narrow, concrete meaning.

Study

Etymology

匘 is a rare variant of 腦 (brain). The left component 匕 likely originated as a simplified or corrupted form of the flesh radical ⺼, while the right side is a phonetic component related to the sound ノウ. The exact historical development is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 匕 looks like a spoon, and the right side resembles a head with convolutions. Imagine using a spoon to carefully examine the folds of a brain.

Reading mnemonic

For ノウ, think of a brain surgeon saying 'Now I see the brain!' as they operate: now -> ノウ.