嵩
be aggravated, grow worse, grow bulky, swell
Readings
On'yomi
- スウ
- シュウ
Kun'yomi
- かさ
- かさ.む
- たか.い
Nanori
- たかし
- たか
- たけ
Meaning
嵩 centers on a gradual increase in size, intensity, or severity: something swelling, growing bulky, or a situation worsening over time.
Most common words using 嵩
- 嵩むかさむN1
to mount up; to pile up; to accumulate; to increase
- 嵩張るかさばるN1
to be bulky; to be unwieldy; to grow voluminous
- 嵩かさ
bulk; volume; quantity
- 嵩上げかさあげ
raising (an embankment, levee, etc.)
- 嵩にかかるかさにかかる
to be highhanded; to be arrogant; to be overbearing
- 嵩密度かさみつど
bulk density
- 嵩高すうこう
lofty (of a mountain); tall
- 年嵩としかさ
senior; older; elderly
- 気嵩きがさ
having a competitive spirit
- 荷嵩みにがさみ
glut; overstock
Study
Etymology
嵩 combines 山 (mountain) and 高 (tall, high), suggesting the towering height or bulk of a mountain. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the component combination fits the meaning of swelling or growing large.
Meaning mnemonic
A mountain 山 piled on top of something already tall 高 makes the whole thing swell up and grow bulky, like a situation getting worse.
Reading mnemonic
For スウ, imagine a swelling mountain growing so tall it reaches the sky, where a cool breeze (スウッと) blows over its peak: スウッ -> スウ.