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Kotomora

昊

sky, big

StatusJinmeiyōStrokes8

Readings

On'yomi

  • コウ

Kun'yomi

  • そら

Meaning

昊 centers on the vast, open sky, often with a sense of expansiveness or greatness. The 'big' meaning is an extension of that boundless sky-like quality.

Study

Etymology

昊 combines 日 (sun) and 天 (sky/heavens), suggesting the sun in the vast sky. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the component combination clearly points to the sky or heavens.

Meaning mnemonic

The sun 日 sits above the heavens 天, painting a picture of the immense, open sky. When you see 昊, think of a sky so big it stretches forever.

Reading mnemonic

For コウ, imagine a huge sky so vast it makes you say 'Whoa!' — the 'ko' in 'Whoa' cues コウ, and the sky is big enough to take your breath away.