婧
modest, supple
Strokes11
Readings
On'yomi
- セイ
- ショウ
- ジュウ
Kun'yomi
- あてやか
- しなや.か
Meaning
婧 centers on a graceful, restrained quality in a person: modest in demeanor and supple or pliant in movement. The two given meanings describe a soft, unassuming elegance.
Study
Etymology
婧 combines 女 (woman) with 青, which likely contributes the sound and may suggest a fresh, youthful quality. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
A woman 女 beside 青, which can suggest youth or freshness. Picture a young woman with a modest, graceful posture, moving with supple ease.
Reading mnemonic
For セイ, imagine a modest woman saying 'say' softly: say -> セイ, and her supple voice matches the kanji's gentle meaning.