汙
filthy, dirty, impure, polluted
Strokes6
Readings
On'yomi
- オ
Kun'yomi
- けが.す
- けが.れる
- けが.らわしい
- よご.す
- よご.れる
- きたな.い
Meaning
汙 centers on contamination and impurity: something that is filthy, dirty, or polluted, whether physically or morally.
Study
Etymology
汙 combines 氵 (water) with 于, which likely contributes the sound. The water radical suggests the idea of liquid impurity or dirtiness.
Meaning mnemonic
Water 氵 beside 于: imagine a clear stream becoming filthy and polluted as it flows past a dirty area.
Reading mnemonic
For オ, picture an oily film spreading over the water: oil -> オ, and the water becomes dirty and impure.