痼
chronic illness
Strokes13
Readings
On'yomi
- コ
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
痼 centers on a long-lasting, hard-to-cure illness: a chronic condition that persists over time.
Most common words using 痼
- 痼疾こしつ
chronic disease
Study
Etymology
痼 combines 疒 (sickness) with 固, which likely contributes both the sound コ and the idea of something fixed or stubborn, suggesting an illness that is hard to remove.
Meaning mnemonic
The sickness enclosure 疒 surrounds 固 (hard, solid). Picture an illness that has become solid and stuck inside the body, making it chronic.
Reading mnemonic
For コ, imagine a chronic illness that makes you feel like a small child (子, こ) who cannot get better: 子 -> コ, and the stubborn sickness keeps you weak.