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Kotomora

渦

whirlpool, eddy, vortex

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes12

Readings

On'yomi

  • カ

Kun'yomi

  • うず

Meaning

渦 centers on a spiraling flow of water: a whirlpool, eddy, or vortex. All meanings describe the same circular, pulling motion in fluid.

Most common words using 渦

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Etymology

渦 combines 氵 (water) with 咼, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of a hollow or spiral shape, together suggesting a whirlpool.

Meaning mnemonic

Water 氵 swirls around a hollow spiral shape 咼, forming a whirlpool that pulls everything into its center.

Reading mnemonic

For カ, imagine a whirlpool spinning like a car tire stuck in mud: car -> カ, and the water circles endlessly.