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Kotomora

徼

seek, enquire, go around, border

Strokes16

Readings

On'yomi

  • キョウ
  • ヨウ

Kun'yomi

  • めぐ.る

Meaning

徼 centers on movement with a purpose: going around to seek or enquire, and by extension a boundary or border that one patrols or circumscribes.

Study

Etymology

徼 combines 彳 (movement) with 敫, which likely contributes sound and the idea of shining or striking, suggesting moving around to illuminate or patrol boundaries. The exact historical development is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 彳 suggests movement, and the right side 敫 looks like a person with a light (白) and a tool (攵) going around. Picture a guard patrolling a border, seeking out intruders with a lantern.

Reading mnemonic

For キョウ, imagine a guard shouting 'Kyō!' (like a sharp 'Kyo!') when they find someone at the border: Kyō -> キョウ, as they go around seeking.