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Kotomora

嬙

lady

Strokes16

Readings

On'yomi

  • ショウ
  • ゾウ
  • ショク
  • シキ

Kun'yomi

  • そばめ

Meaning

嬙 centers on a woman of status: a lady, often a court lady or concubine. The meaning is narrow and refers to a specific female role.

Study

Etymology

嬙 combines 女 (woman) with 嗇, which likely contributes the sound. The character is used for a lady or concubine, but the exact historical development of 嗇 in this context is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

A woman 女 beside 嗇, a shape associated with a storehouse or enclosure. Imagine a lady kept in a secluded inner chamber, like a precious item stored away.

Reading mnemonic

For ショウ, picture a lady in a showy court dress: show -> ショウ, and she is the lady of the court.