孰
which, how, who
Strokes11
Readings
On'yomi
- ジュク
Kun'yomi
- いずれ
- たれ
Meaning
孰 centers on questioning identity or choice: asking which one, how something is done, or who is involved. It is an interrogative word used to select or inquire among possibilities.
Study
Etymology
孰 is thought to combine 享 (offering) with 丸 (round), but the exact historical development is uncertain. It may have originally depicted a person offering something while questioning, but this is speculative.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 享 looks like a person receiving something, and the right side 丸 suggests a round object. Picture someone holding up a round object and asking: which one is this? How did it get here? Who gave it to me?
Reading mnemonic
For ジュク, imagine a juke box that asks you to choose a song: juke -> ジュク, and you must decide which one to play.