殃
misfortune, disaster, calamity
Strokes9
Readings
On'yomi
- オウ
- ヨウ
Kun'yomi
- わざわい
Meaning
殃 centers on harmful, destructive events: misfortune, disaster, or calamity that befalls someone.
Most common words using 殃
- 余殃よおう
trouble brought on by sins of forebears
- 池魚の殃ちぎょのわざわい
collateral damage; getting embroiled in someone else's dispute; having a fire spread to one's own house
- 積不善の家には必ず余殃ありせきふぜんのいえにはかならずよおうあり
iniquities of fathers are visited upon their sons
Study
Etymology
殃 combines 歹 (death, bad omen) with 央, which likely contributes the sound and may suggest a central or striking misfortune.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 歹 suggests death or decay, and the right side 央 looks like a person burdened under a heavy load. Picture a central, crushing disaster bringing misfortune.
Reading mnemonic
For オウ, imagine a calamity so severe that everyone cries out 'Ow!' in pain: Ow -> オウ, the sound of sudden disaster.