憚
hesitate, shrink, awe
Readings
On'yomi
- タン
- タ
Kun'yomi
- はばか.る
Meaning
憚 centers on a fearful reluctance to act: hesitating or shrinking back from something daunting, often out of awe or deep respect.
Most common words using 憚
- 忌憚きたん
reserve; modesty; hesitation; restraint
- 憚るはばかる
to hesitate; to have scruples; to be afraid of what others may think
- 忌憚のないきたんのない
unrestrained; unreserved; candid; frank
- 憚りはばかり
hesitation
- 憚りながらはばかりながら
with all due respect ...; I venture to say ...; Excuse me, but ...
- 憚り様はばかりさま
thank you for your trouble; unfortunately ...
- 過ちては則ち改むるに憚ること勿れあやまちてはすなわちあらたむるにはばかることなかれ
when you make a mistake, don't hesitate to correct it; do not delay in making amends for your wrongs
Study
Etymology
憚 combines 忄 (heart/mind) with 單, which likely contributes the sound and may suggest something singular or weighty, giving the idea of a heart held back by awe or fear.
Meaning mnemonic
The heart radical 忄 beside 單 (which looks like a heavy, singular object) suggests a heart that hesitates and shrinks back when faced with something overwhelming.
Reading mnemonic
For タン, imagine hesitating before a tan-colored giant: the tan color cues タン, and your heart shrinks back in awe.