娉
ask after a woman's name, marry a woman, good-looking
Strokes10
Readings
On'yomi
- ヘイ
- ホウ
Kun'yomi
- ほ
Meaning
娉 centers on formal courtship and marriage: asking about a woman's name as part of a marriage proposal, and the act of marrying a woman. The 'good-looking' sense likely describes the woman being sought.
Study
Etymology
娉 combines 女 (woman) with 甹, which likely contributes the sound and relates to asking or inquiring. The character is associated with formal marriage inquiries.
Meaning mnemonic
A woman 女 beside 甹, which looks like a formal document or inquiry. Picture a man formally asking about a woman's name to propose marriage.
Reading mnemonic
For ヘイ, imagine a formal marriage inquiry where the man says 'Hey' to get the woman's attention: Hey -> ヘイ, as he asks her name.