牂
female sheep, ewe
Strokes10
Readings
On'yomi
- ソウ
Kun'yomi
- めひつじ
Meaning
牂 centers on a female sheep, specifically an ewe. The meaning is narrow and concrete, with no strong abstract extensions.
Study
Etymology
牂 combines 爿 (a bed or board) with 羊 (sheep), likely to specify a female sheep. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 爿 suggests a resting place, and the right side 羊 is a sheep. Picture a ewe resting in the fold: 牂 is a female sheep.
Reading mnemonic
For ソウ, imagine a ewe softly saying 'sou' as it rests: the sound 'sou' cues ソウ while the sheep rests.