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Kotomora

湍

rapids

Strokes12

Readings

On'yomi

  • タン

Kun'yomi

  • はや.い
  • はやせ

Meaning

湍 centers on fast, turbulent water: rapids in a stream or river. The meaning is tightly focused on rushing water.

Study

Etymology

湍 combines 氵 (water) with 耑, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of a rushing, pointed flow. The exact historical development of 耑 is uncertain, but the water radical clearly anchors the meaning to rapids.

Meaning mnemonic

Water 氵 rushes over a pointed, mountain-like shape 耑, creating fast rapids. Picture a stream crashing over sharp rocks.

Reading mnemonic

For タン, imagine a tan-colored rapid churning with muddy water: tan -> タン, and the water rushes through.