巷
fork in road, scene, arena, theater
Readings
On'yomi
- コウ
Kun'yomi
- ちまた
Meaning
巷 centers on a branching path or crossroads, extending naturally to the lively public spaces that form where paths meet: a scene, arena, or theater of everyday life.
Most common words using 巷
- 巷ちまた
the public; the street (e.g. "word on the street")
- 巷間こうかん
on the street; around town; the world; the public
- 修羅の巷しゅらのちまた
scene of carnage
- 巷で話題ちまたでわだい
much-talked-about; recently popular; in vogue
- 巷説こうせつ
gossip; talk about town
- 巷談こうだん
rumour; rumor; gossip
- 悪の巷あくのちまた
skid row; underworld
- 柳巷花街りゅうこうかがい
red-light district; pleasure quarter
- 街談巷語がいだんこうご
street gossips and idle rumors; hearsay
- 街談巷説がいだんこうせつ
street gossips and idle rumors
- 陋巷ろうこう
narrow, dirty backstreet
Study
Etymology
巷 combines 共 (together) and 巳 (a winding shape), suggesting a place where paths come together and branch. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the crossroads idea is well established.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 共 suggests things coming together, and the bottom 巳 looks like a winding path. Picture a fork in the road where people gather, creating a lively scene like an open-air theater.
Reading mnemonic
For コウ, imagine a bustling crossroads where a public announcement echoes: 'Call!' (コール) — the sound 'koh' cues コウ as people gather at the fork.