悕
pray in earnest, be sorrowful, lament
Strokes10
Readings
On'yomi
- キ
- ケ
Kun'yomi
- おも.う
- かなし.む
Meaning
悕 centers on a heart burdened by deep feeling: earnest prayer, sorrow, or lamentation. The meanings share an intense emotional state that seeks expression or relief.
Study
Etymology
悕 combines the heart radical 忄 with 希, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the structure suggests a heart-related state associated with the sound キ.
Meaning mnemonic
The heart radical 忄 beside 希 (which can suggest rarity or longing) paints a picture of a heart filled with rare, intense emotion—praying earnestly or grieving deeply.
Reading mnemonic
For キ, imagine a key unlocking a sorrowful heart: key -> キ, and the heart 忄 opens to release lament.