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Kotomora

狽

wolf, be flurried

Strokes10

Readings

On'yomi

  • ケン
  • バイ
  • ハイ

Kun'yomi

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Meaning

狽 centers on a wolf-like creature associated with agitation or panic. The meaning 'be flurried' likely comes from the compound 狼狽 (ろうばい), where 狽 represents a mythical beast that panics easily.

Most common words using 狽

  • 狼狽ろうばい

    confusion; dismay; consternation; panic

  • 狼狽えるうろたえる

    to be flustered; to lose one's presence of mind

  • 周章狼狽しゅうしょうろうばい

    consternation; falling into a panic; fluster; confusion; dismay; discomfiture

  • 狼狽売りろうばいうり

    panic selling

  • 狼狽気味ろうばいぎみ

    being rather confused; looking somewhat dismayed (perturbed)

Explore all words using 狽 →

Study

Etymology

狽 combines the beast radical 犭 with 貝 (shell/money). The character is best known from the compound 狼狽, referring to a legendary wolf-like creature. The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it likely served as a phonetic or semantic component in the compound.

Meaning mnemonic

A beast 犭 with a shell 貝 on its back: imagine a wolf carrying a heavy shell, making it clumsy and easily flustered.

Reading mnemonic

For ケン, picture a ken (けん, sword) being waved frantically by the flurried wolf: ken -> ケン.