狷
short-tempered
Readings
On'yomi
- ケン
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
狷 centers on a personality that is quick to anger and easily provoked: being short-tempered or irascible.
Most common words using 狷
Study
Etymology
狷 combines the animal radical 犭 with 肙, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the character is associated with a fierce or irritable temperament, possibly drawing on the idea of a wild animal's quick temper.
Meaning mnemonic
The animal radical 犭 suggests a beastly nature, and the right side 肙 looks like a mouth 口 under a moon 月, as if a creature is howling in irritation. Picture a short-tempered animal that snaps at the slightest provocation.
Reading mnemonic
For ケン, imagine a short-tempered person named Ken who flares up at every little thing: Ken -> ケン, and his temper is as wild as the animal radical suggests.