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Kotomora

椋

type of deciduous tree, grey starling

JLPTN1StatusJinmeiyōStrokes12

Readings

On'yomi

  • リョウ

Kun'yomi

  • むく

Nanori

  • ぐら

Meaning

椋 refers to a type of deciduous tree, and by extension the grey starling, likely because the bird is associated with that tree.

Most common words using 椋

  • 椋木むくのき

    Aphananthe oriental elm (Aphananthe aspera); mukutree

  • 椋鳥むくどり

    grey starling (Sturnus cineraceus); gray starling; white-cheeked starling

  • 大黒椋鳥擬おおくろむくどりもどき

    common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)

  • 星椋鳥ほしむくどり

    common starling; European starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

  • 椋鳥擬むくどりもどき

    crow blackbird; grackle; oriole

Explore all words using 椋 →

Study

Etymology

椋 combines 木 (tree) with 京, which likely contributes the sound. The character was created to name a specific tree species.

Meaning mnemonic

A tree 木 beside a capital 京: imagine a tall deciduous tree growing in the capital, where grey starlings gather.

Reading mnemonic

For リョウ, picture a grey starling perched on the tree singing a clear 'ryo' note: ryo -> リョウ.