掬
scoop up water with the hand
Readings
On'yomi
- キク
- コク
Kun'yomi
- きく.す
- むす.ぶ
- すく.う
- たなごころ
Meaning
掬 centers on scooping up water with cupped hands. The given meaning is specific to this action, and the kanji is used in contexts involving gathering or holding water by hand.
Most common words using 掬
- 掬うすくうN1
to scoop; to ladle out
- 掬いすくい
scooping
- どじょう掬いどじょうすくい
scooping loaches; catching loach in a net
- どじょう掬いまんじゅうどじょうすくいまんじゅう
steamed bun shaped like a loach catcher
- キャラクター掬いキャラクターすくい
festival game of scooping up plastic cartoon figurines floating in water; character scooping
- スーパーボール掬いスーパーボールすくい
festival game in which players scoop up bouncy balls floating in water
- 一掬いっきく
small amount
- 一掬いひとすくい
scoop (e.g. of icecream); scoopful
- 小股掬いこまたすくい
over-thigh scooping body drop
- 掬い投げすくいなげ
variety of beltless arm throw
- 掬するきくする
to scoop up (with both hands)
Study
Etymology
掬 combines 扌 (hand) with 匊, which likely contributes both sound and the idea of cupping or holding. The exact historical development of 匊 is uncertain, but the hand radical clearly indicates a manual action.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is a hand 扌, and the right side 匊 looks like a container with something inside. Imagine cupping your hands together to scoop up water, forming a bowl shape like the right component.
Reading mnemonic
For キク, picture scooping water with your hands and hearing a crisp 'kiku' sound as the water drips through your fingers: kiku -> キク.