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Kotomora

淒

bitter cold, miserable, dreary

Strokes11

Readings

On'yomi

  • セイ
  • サイ

Kun'yomi

  • すご.む
  • さむ.い
  • すご.い
  • すさ.まじい

Meaning

淒 centers on a harsh, penetrating cold that makes one feel miserable and dreary, like a bitter chill that seeps into the spirit.

Study

Etymology

淒 combines the water radical 氵 with 妻, which likely contributes the sound. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the character is associated with cold, wet conditions.

Meaning mnemonic

The water radical 氵 suggests dampness, and 妻 (wife) can be imagined as a person shivering in the cold. Picture a wife standing in freezing water, her misery and the bitter cold combining into a dreary scene.

Reading mnemonic

For セイ, imagine the bitter cold making you say 'say' through chattering teeth: 'say' -> セイ, as you try to speak in the miserable, dreary weather.