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Kotomora

硝

nitrate, saltpeter

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 5,000Strokes12

Readings

On'yomi

  • ショウ

Kun'yomi

—

Meaning

硝 centers on chemical compounds containing nitrate, especially saltpeter, a naturally occurring mineral form.

Most common words using 硝

20 of 49

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Etymology

硝 combines 石 (stone, mineral) with 肖, which likely contributes the sound ショウ. Together they indicate a mineral substance related to nitrate.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 石 (stone) suggests a mineral, and the right side 肖 looks like a small flame or spark. Picture saltpeter crystals sparkling like tiny flames in the rock.

Reading mnemonic

For ショウ, imagine a miner showing a sparkling piece of saltpeter: show -> ショウ, and the stone 石 reveals the nitrate mineral.