尫
lame
Strokes7
Readings
On'yomi
- オウ
Kun'yomi
- あしなえ
- ま.がる
- よわ.い
Meaning
尫 centers on physical weakness or disability, specifically being lame or unable to walk properly. The meaning extends to bending or being weak in a general sense.
Study
Etymology
尫 combines 兀 (a person with bent or weak legs) with 王 (here likely a phonetic component or a simplified form). The character is associated with lameness or physical weakness, but the exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The outer shape 兀 looks like a person with bent, weak legs. Inside, 王 (king) suggests that even a king can be brought low by lameness. Picture a king who cannot walk straight and must bend and hobble.
Reading mnemonic
For オウ, imagine a lame king who can only say 'Ow!' with every painful step: Ow -> オウ, and the king's weak legs make him cry out.