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Kotomora

杞

river willow

FrequencyTop 5,000Strokes7

Readings

On'yomi

  • コ
  • キ

Kun'yomi

—

Meaning

杞 refers specifically to a type of willow tree that grows near rivers, the river willow.

Most common words using 杞

  • 杞憂きゆう

    needless fear; groundless apprehension; unfounded worry

  • 枸杞くこ

    Chinese matrimony vine (Lycium chinense); Chinese wolfberry; goji

  • 枸杞子くこし

    extract of Chinese wolfberry fruit

Explore all words using 杞 →

Study

Etymology

杞 combines 木 (tree) with 己, which likely contributes the sound, to name a specific tree, the river willow.

Meaning mnemonic

The tree 木 on the left and the winding shape 己 on the right suggest a willow tree with drooping, winding branches by the river.

Reading mnemonic

For コ, imagine a small child (子, こ) sitting under the river willow, playing by the water: 子 -> コ, and the tree shelters the child.