睫
eyelashes
Strokes13
Readings
On'yomi
- ショウ
Kun'yomi
- まつげ
Meaning
睫 centers on the fine hairs that fringe the eye: eyelashes. It is a specific body-part kanji with no major abstract extensions.
Most common words using 睫
- 逆睫毛さかまつげ
turned-in eyelashes; ingrown eyelashes; trichiasis
Study
Etymology
睫 combines 目 (eye) with 疌, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to fine or quick movement, fitting the idea of eyelashes.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is an eye 目, and the right side 疌 looks like a row of fine hairs. Picture the eye framed by delicate eyelashes.
Reading mnemonic
For ショウ, imagine a show of long eyelashes batting dramatically: show -> ショウ, and the eye 目 is the star of the show.