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Kotomora

喂

interjection, to call attention

Strokes12

Readings

On'yomi

  • イ
  • キ
  • カイ

Kun'yomi

  • なげ.く

Meaning

喂 centers on vocal interjection: a call to get someone's attention, like saying "hey" or "hello" to initiate contact.

Study

Etymology

喂 combines 口 (mouth) with 畏, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The character is used for interjections and calling attention, fitting the mouth radical.

Meaning mnemonic

The mouth 口 on the left and the distinctive shape 畏 on the right suggest a mouth making a call. Picture someone cupping their mouth and shouting "喂!" to get attention.

Reading mnemonic

For イ, imagine calling out "E!" (like the letter E) to get someone's attention: E -> イ, and the mouth 口 is wide open.