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Kotomora

潛

conceal, hide, lower (voice), hush

Strokes17

Readings

On'yomi

  • セン

Kun'yomi

  • ひそ.む
  • もぐ.る
  • かく.れる
  • くぐ.る
  • ひそ.める

Meaning

潛 centers on moving out of sight or keeping something hidden: concealing, hiding, lowering a voice to a hush, or submerging below a surface.

Study

Etymology

潛 combines 氵 (water) with 朁, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of going under or being hidden. The character originally referred to submerging in water, and the abstract meanings of concealing or hushing developed from that image.

Meaning mnemonic

Water 氵 beside 朁 suggests something sinking beneath the surface. Picture a person holding their breath and disappearing underwater, hiding completely and hushing all sound.

Reading mnemonic

For セン, imagine a secret agent named Sen who conceals himself underwater: Sen -> セン, and he hides silently beneath the surface.