唆
tempt, seduce, instigate, promote
Readings
On'yomi
- サ
Kun'yomi
- そそ.る
- そそのか.す
Meaning
唆 centers on urging someone toward an action, often with a negative or manipulative edge: tempting, seducing, or instigating. The sense of promoting something can be seen as actively encouraging a course of action.
Most common words using 唆
- 示唆しさN1
suggestion; hint; implication
- 唆すそそのかすN1
to instigate; to tempt; to entice; to incite
- 教唆きょうさ
instigation
- 唆しそそのかし
instigation
- 悪事を唆すあくじをそそのかす
to entice a person to do something wrong
- 教唆扇動きょうさせんどう
instigation and abetment
- 教唆犯きょうさはん
criminal instigator
- 教唆罪きょうさざい
criminal instigation
- 教唆者きょうさしゃ
instigator
- 示唆的しさてき
suggestive; pregnant (e.g. pregnant pause)
- 自殺教唆じさつきょうさ
(crime of) instigation to suicide
Study
Etymology
唆 combines 口 (mouth) with 夋, which likely provides the sound and may carry a sense of urging or moving. The exact historical development of 夋 is uncertain, but the character as a whole suggests inciting with words.
Meaning mnemonic
A mouth (口) beside the component 夋, which looks like a person walking with a load. Imagine someone whispering temptations into another's ear, urging them to take a wrong step.
Reading mnemonic
For サ, picture a sly serpent (snake) hissing 'sa...' as it tempts someone with forbidden fruit. The snake's hiss cues サ while it instigates the temptation.