尸
corpse, remains, flag radical (no. 44)
Readings
On'yomi
- シ
Kun'yomi
- かたしろ
Meaning
尸 centers on a lifeless human body: a corpse or remains. The radical sense is the same shape used as a component in other characters, often related to the body or covering.
Most common words using 尸
- 三尸さんし
the three worms (in Taoism); worms that inhabit the human gut and, on the eve of the 57th day of the sexagenary cycle, ascend to heaven during one's sleep to report on one's wrongdoings
- 尸位しい
neglecting the duties of an office while taking pay
- 尸位素餐しいそさん
neglecting the duties of an office while taking pay
- 尸冠しかばねかんむり
kanji "corpse" radical
- 尸諌しかん
admonishing (one's master) at the cost of one's life
- 積尸気ししき
Praesepe (Chinese name); Beehive Cluster
Study
Etymology
尸 is a pictograph of a person lying down or a body at rest, representing a corpse. The modern form retains the simplified outline of a prone figure.
Meaning mnemonic
The shape looks like a person lying flat with legs extended, like a body laid out. 尸 is a corpse.
Reading mnemonic
For シ, imagine a sheet draped over the corpse: sheet -> シ, covering the lifeless body.