琢

polish

JLPTN1StatusJinmeiyōFrequencyTop 5,000Strokes11

Readings

On'yomi

タク

Kun'yomi

みが.く

Nanori

あや
たか

Meaning

琢 centers on refining a raw material by careful work: polishing a gem or stone to bring out its beauty.

Most common words using 琢

琢磨たくま
polish (jewels); cultivation
切磋琢磨せっさたくま
diligent application (to work or study); cultivating one's character by studying hard
彫琢ちょうたく
carving and polishing

Explore all words using 琢 →

Study

Etymology

琢 combines 王 (jade/jewel) with 豖, which likely contributes the sound and may suggest the action of striking or carving, together expressing the polishing of gems.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 王 represents a jewel or gemstone, and the right side 豖 looks like a tool striking it. Picture a craftsman carefully polishing a rough gem until it shines.

Reading mnemonic

For タク, imagine a tack being used to polish a tiny gem: tack -> タク, and the sharp point refines the stone.