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Kotomora

厶

I, myself, katakana mu radical (no. 28)

Strokes2

Readings

On'yomi

  • シ
  • ボウ
  • ム

Kun'yomi

  • わたくし
  • ござ.る

Meaning

厶 centers on the self: the first-person concept of 'I' or 'myself.' The radical sense is the same visible shape used as a component in other characters.

Study

Etymology

厶 is a pictograph of a bent arm or a self-referential shape, associated with the idea of 'self' or 'private.' The exact historical development is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The shape 厶 looks like a person pointing to themselves with a bent arm, saying 'I' or 'myself.'

Reading mnemonic

For シ, imagine the shape as a person pointing to themselves and saying 'she' — but it's really 'I': she -> シ.