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Kotomora

洶

gush forth, surge

Strokes9

Readings

On'yomi

  • キョウ

Kun'yomi

  • わ.く

Meaning

洶 centers on water moving forcefully and suddenly: gushing forth or surging. Both meanings describe a powerful, outward rush of liquid.

Study

Etymology

洶 combines 氵 (water) with 匈, which likely contributes the sound and carries a sense of agitation or turbulence. The exact historical development of 匈 within this character is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

Water 氵 on the left and 匈 on the right: picture a turbulent chest 匈 of water, heaving and gushing forth like a powerful surge.

Reading mnemonic

For キョウ, imagine a sudden surge of water in Kyoto (キョウト) during a storm: the city name cues キョウ, and the water gushes through the streets.