燭
light, candlepower
Readings
On'yomi
- ソク
- ショク
Kun'yomi
- ともしび
Meaning
燭 centers on a light source, specifically a candle or its light. The meaning 'candlepower' is an extension of that idea, referring to the brightness of a candle.
Most common words using 燭
- 蝋燭ろうそくN2
candle
- 燭台しょくだい
candlestick; candlestand
- 燭しょく
light; lamp
- 南燭しゃしゃんぼ
sea bilberry (Vaccinium bracteatum)
- 手燭てしょく
portable candlestick
- 枝つき燭台えだつきしょくだい
candelabra; candelabrum; girandole
- 燭光しょっこう
candlepower
- 秉燭へいしょく
holding a lamp in one's hand
- 華燭かしょく
bright light
- 華燭の典かしょくのてん
wedding ceremony
- 蝋燭の芯ろうそくのしん
wick of a candle
- 裸蝋燭はだかろうそく
naked candle; uncovered candle; unshaded candle
Study
Etymology
燭 combines 火 (fire) with 蜀, which likely contributes the sound. The character originally referred to a torch or candle, a light source using fire.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is fire 火, and the right side 蜀 looks like a container with a wick. Picture a candle with a flame burning brightly.
Reading mnemonic
For ソク, imagine a sock catching fire from a candle: sock -> ソク, and the candle's flame lights the sock.