皺
wrinkles, creases, folds
Readings
On'yomi
- シュウ
- スウ
Kun'yomi
- しわ
- しぼ
Meaning
皺 centers on surface irregularities that disrupt smoothness: wrinkles, creases, and folds, especially on skin or fabric.
Most common words using 皺
- 皺しわN3
wrinkle; crease
- 皺皺しわしわ
crumpled; wrinkled
- 皺くちゃしわくちゃ
crumpled; wrinkled; crinkled; creased
- ちりめん皺ちりめんじわ
fine wrinkles
- 皺しぼ
bumpy texture of a material (esp. woven fabric)
- 皺だらけしわだらけ
wrinkled; full of wrinkles
- 皺っぽいしわっぽい
wrinkled; rumpled
- 皺ばむしわばむ
to get wrinkled
- 皺を伸ばすしわをのばす
to smooth out; to straighten; to relax
- 皺歯海豚しわはいるか
rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis)
- 皺烏帽子さびえぼし
creased eboshi hat
Study
Etymology
皺 combines 芻 (likely a phonetic element) with 皮 (skin), suggesting wrinkles or creases on skin. The exact historical development of the left component is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 芻 looks like a bundle of tangled grass, and the right side 皮 means skin. Imagine skin becoming as creased and folded as a twisted bundle of grass.
Reading mnemonic
For シュウ, picture a wrinkled shirt you need to iron: 'shoo' away the wrinkles with an iron. 'Shoo' -> シュウ, and the shirt becomes smooth.