溘
sudden, unexpected
Strokes13
Readings
On'yomi
- コウ
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
溘 centers on something happening abruptly and without warning: a sudden, unexpected event.
Most common words using 溘
- 溘然こうぜん
sudden (esp. of a person's death); unexpected
Study
Etymology
溘 combines 氵 (water) with 盍, which likely contributes the sound. The exact historical development of the meaning 'sudden' from these components is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
Water 氵 can rise suddenly and unexpectedly, like a flash flood. The right side 盍 looks like a container with a lid, suggesting something contained that bursts out without warning.
Reading mnemonic
For コウ, imagine a sudden, unexpected cough: cough -> コウ, and the water splashes out abruptly.