瑕
flaw, blemish
Readings
On'yomi
- カ
Kun'yomi
- あら
- きず
- なんぞ
Meaning
瑕 centers on a small imperfection that mars an otherwise good surface or object: a flaw or blemish.
Most common words using 瑕
- 瑕疵かし
flaw; defect; fault
- 心理的瑕疵物件しんりてきかしぶっけん
stigmatized property; real estate where a crime, death, etc. has occurred
- 玉に瑕たまにきず
fly in the ointment; small flaw in otherwise perfect object; only trouble; only fault
- 瑕瑾かきん
scratch; chip; nick
- 瑕疵担保かしたんぽ
warranty against defects
- 瑕疵担保責任かしたんぽせきにん
warranty against defects
- 疵瑕しか
blemish; flaw; defect
Study
Etymology
瑕 combines 王 (jewel) with 叚, which likely contributes the sound. The character originally referred to a flaw in jade, later extending to any blemish.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 王 (jewel) suggests something precious, while the right side 叚 looks like a crack or mark. Picture a beautiful gem with a tiny visible flaw.
Reading mnemonic
For カ, imagine a car with a small scratch: car -> カ, and that scratch is the flaw on the otherwise perfect vehicle.