禦
defend, protect, resist, ward off
Strokes17
Readings
On'yomi
- ギョ
- ゴ
Kun'yomi
- ふせ.ぐ
Meaning
禦 centers on active defense: holding back an attack, protecting against harm, resisting pressure, or warding off something unwanted.
Study
Etymology
禦 combines 御 (control, manage) with 示 (altar, ritual), suggesting ritual or authoritative control used to ward off harm. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The top part 御 suggests control or driving, and the bottom 示 is an altar. Picture a ritual where a priest drives away evil spirits to defend the village.
Reading mnemonic
For ギョ, imagine a guard yelling 'Gyo!' as he wards off an intruder: Gyo -> ギョ, and the guard defends the gate.