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Kotomora

湎

drown, be immersed

Strokes12

Readings

On'yomi

  • メン
  • ベン

Kun'yomi

  • おぼ.れる
  • しず.む

Meaning

湎 centers on being submerged in liquid, especially to the point of losing oneself: drowning or being deeply immersed.

Study

Etymology

湎 combines 氵 (water) with 面, which likely contributes the sound and possibly the idea of the face being covered or submerged. The exact historical development is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

Water 氵 covers the face 面, like someone drowning or fully immersed in liquid.

Reading mnemonic

For メン, imagine a man drowning: man -> メン, and his face is submerged in the water.