Skip to content
Kotomora

擋

obstruct, impede, stop, resist

Strokes16

Readings

On'yomi

  • トウ

Kun'yomi

  • さ.ける

Meaning

擋 centers on blocking or holding back movement: obstructing, impeding, stopping, or resisting something that tries to pass.

Study

Etymology

擋 combines 扌 (hand) with 當, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of facing or blocking. The hand radical suggests physically stopping or resisting something.

Meaning mnemonic

The hand 扌 beside 當 suggests a hand held up to block or stop something. Picture a hand pushing against an obstacle to obstruct its path.

Reading mnemonic

For トウ, imagine a hand blocking a toe from moving forward: toe -> トウ, and the hand stops it.