恧
ashamed, embarrassed
Readings
On'yomi
- ジク
- ニク
- ジョク
- ニョク
Kun'yomi
- はじ.る
Meaning
恧 centers on a feeling of shame or embarrassment, often from an internal sense of having done something wrong or awkward.
Study
Etymology
恧 combines 而 (and yet, but) with 心 (heart), suggesting a heart that feels shame or embarrassment. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the component combination likely expresses an internal emotional state.
Meaning mnemonic
The top component 而 looks like a face with a beard or a downcast expression, and the bottom 心 is the heart. Picture a person whose heart sinks and face falls in shame: 恧 is feeling ashamed or embarrassed.
Reading mnemonic
For ジク, imagine a person so embarrassed they want to disappear quickly: 'jik' sounds like a sudden jerk away from an awkward situation. The jik sound cues ジク while the person's heart sinks in shame.