sound of flowing water
潺 centers on the gentle, murmuring sound of flowing water, like a shallow stream or a babbling brook.
潺 combines 氵 (water) with 孱, which likely contributes the sound and relates to a weak or gentle quality, together suggesting the soft sound of flowing water.
The water radical 氵 beside 孱 (which looks like a child 子 under a roof 尸) suggests a gentle, weak flow: imagine a small child playing in a shallow stream, making a soft murmuring sound.
For セン, picture a serene mountain stream (sen -> セン) where the water murmurs gently over the rocks.
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