碱
alkaline, alkali, lye, salt
Strokes14
Readings
On'yomi
- ケン
- カン
- セン
Kun'yomi
- あ.く
Meaning
碱 centers on alkaline substances: chemical bases, lye, and salts that are basic rather than acidic. The salt sense is specifically alkaline salt, not table salt in general.
Study
Etymology
碱 combines 石 (stone) with 咸, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of saltiness or alkalinity. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the character is used in Chinese for alkaline substances.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 石 (stone) suggests a mineral, and the right side 咸 looks like a container with a salty taste. Picture a stone-like lump of alkaline salt or lye.
Reading mnemonic
For ケン, imagine a chemist named Ken testing an alkaline stone: Ken -> ケン, and the stone fizzes with basic reaction.