憋
to suppress inner feeling, hasty
Strokes16
Readings
On'yomi
- ヘツ
- ヘチ
Kun'yomi
- せっかち
Meaning
憋 centers on holding back strong inner feelings, often with a sense of urgency or impatience. The hasty sense arises from the pressure of suppressed emotion.
Study
Etymology
憋 combines 敝 (worn out, ruined) with 心 (heart), suggesting a heart that is worn down or constrained, leading to suppressed feelings or impatience. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
A worn-out heart (敝 over 心) is like a heart that has been holding back feelings for too long, making it feel hasty and ready to burst.
Reading mnemonic
For ヘツ, imagine a person suppressing a sigh, making a soft 'hets' sound through clenched teeth: hets -> ヘツ, as they hold back their inner feelings.