徭
compulsory service to the state, corvee
Strokes13
Readings
On'yomi
- ヨウ
- エウ
Kun'yomi
- えだち
- ふぞろ.い
- つかい
Meaning
徭 centers on labor demanded by authority: compulsory service to the state, especially corvée. It conveys the idea of being sent or used for forced work.
Most common words using 徭
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Etymology
徭 combines 彳 (movement/going) with 䍃, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to shaking or service. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 彳 suggests movement or going, and the right side 䍃 looks like a container or vessel. Picture people being moved like vessels to perform compulsory labor for the state.
Reading mnemonic
For ヨウ, imagine a yoked ox being led to corvée: yoke -> ヨウ, and the ox is forced to serve.