澄
lucidity, be clear, clear, clarify, settle, strain, look grave
Readings
On'yomi
- チョウ
Kun'yomi
- す.む
- す.ます
- -す.ます
Nanori
- きよ
- すす
- すみ
- み
Meaning
澄 centers on clarity and stillness: a liquid becoming clear and settled, or a person's expression or mind becoming calm and serious. The ideas of straining, clarifying, and looking grave all stem from this core of making something pure and undisturbed.
Most common words using 澄
20 of 27- 澄むすむN2
to become clear (water, air, etc.); to become transparent
- 清澄せいちょう
clear; serene
- 澄ましすまし
primness; putting on airs; prim person
- 澄ますすますN1
to clear; to make clear
- 上澄みうわずみ
clear layer of fluid (at the top of a mixture); supernatant liquid; supernate
- 研ぎ澄ますとぎすます
to sharpen; to grind; to whet; to hone; to make keen
- 澄み切るすみきる
to be perfectly clear (water, air, etc.); to clear up
- 澄み切ったすみきった
perfectly clear
- 耳を澄ますみみをすますN1
to listen carefully; to strain one's ears
- お澄ましおすまし
primness; putting on airs; prim person
- つんと澄ましてつんとすまして
primly; with one's nose in the air; smugly
- 乙に澄ますおつにすます
to affect a serene mood; to affect a serious demeanor; to act prudishly; to assume an air of superiority
- 取り澄ますとりすます
to look unconcerned; to assume a composed look
- 明澄めいちょう
lucid; clear
- 水澄ましみずすまし
whirligig beetle (any insect of family Gyrinidae, esp. the Japanese whirligig beetle, Gyrinus japonicus)
- 清澄剤せいちょうざい
clarifying agent; clarificant; clarifier; clearing agent; fining agent
- 澄ましバターすましバター
clarified butter
- 澄まし屋すましや
a prim person
- 澄まし込むすましこむ
to put on airs; to affect (e.g. importance); to look wise
- 澄み渡るすみわたる
to be perfectly clear
Study
Etymology
澄 combines 氵 (water) with 登, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of rising or ascending, together suggesting water that has settled and become clear after disturbance.
Meaning mnemonic
Water 氵 plus 登 (climb, ascend) suggests sediment settling and clarity rising to the top. Picture a muddy stream where the dirt slowly sinks and the water becomes clear and calm.
Reading mnemonic
For チョウ, imagine a clear, still pond where a long-serving chief named Chou gazes at his reflection: Chou -> チョウ, and the water is perfectly clear.