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Kotomora

睛

pupil of the eye

Strokes13

Readings

On'yomi

  • セイ
  • ショウ

Kun'yomi

  • ひとみ

Meaning

睛 centers on the pupil of the eye, the dark central opening that lets light in.

Most common words using 睛

  • 点睛てんせい

    adding eyes and other finishing touches to an animal painting

  • 猫睛石びょうせいせき

    cat's-eye (semiprecious stone)

  • 画竜点睛がりょうてんせい

    finishing touches; last vital touch

  • 画竜点睛を欠くがりょうてんせいをかく

    to be incomplete; to feel incomplete; to lack the finishing touch

Explore all words using 睛 →

Study

Etymology

睛 combines 目 (eye) with 青, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of clear or pure, suggesting the clear dark pupil.

Meaning mnemonic

The eye 目 on the left and the clear blue-green 青 on the right together suggest the clear dark pupil at the center of the eye.

Reading mnemonic

For セイ, imagine saying 'say' while pointing to the pupil of your eye: say -> セイ, and the pupil is the part that 'says' where you are looking.