咤
clicking (with tongue), upbraid, pity, belch
Strokes9
Readings
On'yomi
- タ
- ト
Kun'yomi
- しか.る
Meaning
咤 centers on sharp, sudden oral expressions: clicking the tongue in disapproval or pity, scolding sharply, or a sudden belch. The common thread is a forceful, often negative, mouth action.
Most common words using 咤
Study
Etymology
咤 combines 口 (mouth) with 宅, which likely contributes the sound. The character is associated with sharp mouth sounds like clicking or scolding.
Meaning mnemonic
A mouth 口 at a house 宅 making sharp sounds: clicking the tongue, scolding someone, or even belching after a meal.
Reading mnemonic
For タ, imagine someone clicking their tongue in disapproval and saying "Tsk, tsk!" — the "ta" sound in "tsk" cues タ, and the mouth radical 口 reinforces the oral action.