怘
protect, safeguard
Strokes9
Readings
On'yomi
- コ
- ク
Kun'yomi
- かた.める
- かたく
Meaning
怘 centers on guarding something valuable: protecting it from harm or keeping it safe.
Study
Etymology
怘 combines 古 (old) and 心 (heart/mind), but the exact historical development is uncertain. It may be a phono-semantic compound where 古 contributes the sound and 心 the idea of guarding with one's heart, but this is speculative.
Meaning mnemonic
An old (古) heart (心) that has seen many dangers knows how to protect and safeguard what matters.
Reading mnemonic
For コ, imagine a small child (子, こ) being protected by an old, wise heart: 子 -> コ, and the old heart keeps the child safe.