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Kotomora

戔

damage, remain, slight

Strokes8

Readings

On'yomi

  • セン
  • サン

Kun'yomi

—

Meaning

戔 centers on reduction through harm: damage that makes something less, leaving only a slight remainder. The meanings 'damage', 'remain', and 'slight' connect as the result of cutting or wounding.

Study

Etymology

戔 is composed of two 戈 (halberd) elements, suggesting conflict or cutting that leads to damage and reduction. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the doubling of a weapon component likely reinforces the idea of harm.

Meaning mnemonic

Two halberds (戈) clash, causing damage. After the fight, only a slight remnant remains.

Reading mnemonic

For セン, imagine a scene of damage where a cent (coin) is all that remains: cent -> セン, and the slight remainder is just one cent.