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Kotomora

斲

cut, chop, hack

Strokes16

Readings

On'yomi

  • キュウ
  • タク

Kun'yomi

  • き.る

Meaning

斲 centers on forceful separation with a blade: cutting, chopping, or hacking something apart.

Study

Etymology

斲 combines 斤 (axe) with a left component that likely represents an object being struck or cut. The exact historical development of the left side is uncertain, but the character is associated with cutting or chopping with an axe.

Meaning mnemonic

The right side 斤 is an axe. The left side looks like a block being hacked apart. Picture an axe chopping into a wooden block: 斲 means cut, chop, or hack.

Reading mnemonic

For キュウ, imagine the axe making a sharp 'kyu' sound as it cuts into the wood: kyu -> キュウ, and the blade hacks clean through.