嗤
laugh, ridicule
Strokes13
Readings
On'yomi
- シ
Kun'yomi
- わら.う
Meaning
嗤 centers on expressing scorn through laughter: laughing at someone or something in a mocking, ridiculing way.
Most common words using 嗤
- 嗤笑ししょう
sneer
Study
Etymology
嗤 combines 口 (mouth) with 蚩, which likely contributes the sound and may be related to a worm or insect, but the exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
A mouth 口 beside the insect-like 蚩 suggests the buzzing, irritating sound of mocking laughter, like a swarm of tiny jeers.
Reading mnemonic
For シ, imagine a person sneering 'sheesh' under their breath: sheesh -> シ, and the dismissive sound matches the ridiculing laugh.