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Kotomora

柬

select, pick out

Strokes9

Readings

On'yomi

  • カン
  • ケン

Kun'yomi

  • えら.ぶ

Meaning

柬 centers on the act of selecting or picking out something from a group, like choosing a specific item from a bundle.

Study

Etymology

柬 is thought to depict a bundle tied with a string, from which items are selected or picked out. The modern form retains the bundled shape with the central 木 and surrounding strokes.

Meaning mnemonic

Picture a tied bundle of sticks with a few sticks sticking out. You reach in and pick out the best one: that's 柬, selecting from a bundle.

Reading mnemonic

For カン, imagine you can pick out the best item from a bundle: can -> カン, and you select it with confidence.