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Kotomora

稍

slightly

Strokes12

Readings

On'yomi

  • ソウ
  • ショウ

Kun'yomi

  • やや
  • ようやく

Meaning

稍 centers on a small degree or margin: something is only slightly, a little, or gradually so. The meaning is about being just a bit, not fully or completely.

Most common words using 稍

  • 稍あってややあって

    a little while later; for a little while; some time later; for some time; presently

  • 稍重ややおも

    good to soft (track condition); good to yielding

Explore all words using 稍 →

Study

Etymology

稍 combines 禾 (grain) with 肖, which likely contributes the sound. The original sense may relate to the tip of a grain stalk, suggesting something small or slight.

Meaning mnemonic

Grain 禾 and the shape 肖 suggest a tiny tip of a rice plant. Just the very tip—only slightly, not the whole plant.

Reading mnemonic

For ソウ, imagine a grain stalk so slightly bent that it looks like it's bowing: 'sow' (as in bowing) -> ソウ, just a slight bow.