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Kotomora

猱

monkey with yellow hair

Strokes12

Readings

On'yomi

  • ドウ
  • ノウ
  • ジュウ
  • ニュウ

Kun'yomi

  • さる

Meaning

猱 refers to a specific kind of monkey known for its yellow hair. The meaning is narrow and descriptive, with no broader conceptual extensions.

Study

Etymology

猱 combines the animal radical 犭 with 柔, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The character was created to name a particular monkey species, but the exact historical development is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The animal radical 犭 hints at a creature, and the right side 柔 (soft, gentle) suggests the monkey's soft yellow fur. Picture a gentle monkey with soft, yellow hair.

Reading mnemonic

For ドウ, imagine a monkey with yellow hair beating a small drum: the drum sound 'doh' cues ドウ, and the monkey's soft fur matches the gentle 柔 component.