挭
fish bones, things that stick in the throat, unyielding, blunt of speech
Readings
On'yomi
- コウ
- キョウ
Kun'yomi
- みだ.す
Meaning
挭 centers on obstruction and resistance: something sharp like fish bones sticking in the throat, or a person being unyielding and blunt in speech. The common thread is a disruptive, hard-to-ignore presence that blocks smooth flow.
Study
Etymology
挭 combines the hand radical 扌 with 更, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the character is associated with the idea of obstruction or resistance, possibly from the image of a hand encountering something unyielding.
Meaning mnemonic
The hand radical 扌 beside 更 suggests a hand trying to push past something that won't budge—like fish bones stuck in the throat or a stubborn person who won't yield. The sharp, obstructive feeling ties the meanings together.
Reading mnemonic
For コウ, imagine a fish bone stuck in your throat making you cough: cough -> コウ, and the hand tries to dislodge the obstruction.