懾
fear
Strokes21
Readings
On'yomi
- ショウ
Kun'yomi
- おそ.れる
Meaning
懾 centers on fear: a state of being afraid or terrified.
Most common words using 懾
- 懾伏しょうふく
prostrating oneself in fear; kneeling in fear; crouching in fear; prostration
Study
Etymology
懾 combines 忄 (heart/mind) with 聶, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to an idea of being overwhelmed. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The heart radical 忄 beside the complex 聶 suggests a heart overwhelmed by something, leading to fear.
Reading mnemonic
For ショウ, imagine a fearful person letting out a sudden 'show!' of terror: show -> ショウ, and the heart pounds with fear.