愈
be superior, heal, more and more, increasingly, finally, beyond doubt
Strokes13
Readings
On'yomi
- ユ
Kun'yomi
- いよいよ
- まさ.る
Meaning
愈 centers on a sense of progressive improvement or surpassing: something becoming more and more, finally reaching a point of superiority or healing beyond doubt.
Study
Etymology
愈 combines 俞 (a phonetic component) with 心 (heart/mind), suggesting a mental state of increasing intensity or improvement. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the structure points to a phono-semantic origin.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 俞 looks like a person advancing, and the bottom 心 is the heart. Imagine your heart pushing you to become better and better, finally surpassing all doubt.
Reading mnemonic
For ユ, picture you (ユ) telling yourself 'I am getting better and better' as your heart drives you forward.