狒
baboon
Strokes8
Readings
On'yomi
- ヒ
Kun'yomi
- ひひ
Meaning
狒 centers on a specific animal: a baboon. The meaning is narrow and concrete, with no major abstract extensions.
Most common words using 狒
Study
Etymology
狒 combines the animal radical 犭 with 弗, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The character is specifically used for baboon, but the exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The animal radical 犭 hints at a beast, and the right side 弗 looks a bit like a baboon's long snout and curved posture. Picture a baboon with that distinctive shape.
Reading mnemonic
For ヒ, imagine a baboon letting out a high-pitched 'hee!' sound: hee -> ヒ, and the baboon screeches from the tree.