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Kotomora

牖

window, lead enlightenment

Strokes15

Readings

On'yomi

  • ユウ
  • ユ

Kun'yomi

  • まど

Meaning

牖 centers on an opening that lets in light and understanding: a window in a physical sense, and by extension, the idea of leading someone toward enlightenment or insight.

Study

Etymology

牖 combines 片 (a split piece of wood, often used for flat objects) with 户 (door) enclosing 甫. The structure suggests a wooden opening in a wall, i.e., a window. The extended meaning of enlightenment likely comes from the idea of letting in light.

Meaning mnemonic

Picture a wooden frame (片) around a door-like opening (户) with a grid or lattice (甫) inside. This is a window that lets in light and knowledge.

Reading mnemonic

For ユウ, imagine you (ユウ) opening a window to let in fresh air and enlightenment: you -> ユウ, and the window brightens the room.