稷
millet
Strokes15
Readings
On'yomi
- ショク
Kun'yomi
- きび
Meaning
稷 centers on millet, a type of grain. The meaning is specific to this crop.
Most common words using 稷
- 社稷しゃしょく
state; country; nation
Study
Etymology
稷 combines 禾 (grain) with 畟, which likely contributes the sound. The character is associated with millet, but the exact historical development of the right-side component is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is the grain plant 禾, and the right side 畟 looks like a field 田 with legs 儿 and a tool 夂. Imagine a farmer working in a millet field, tending the grain.
Reading mnemonic
For ショク, picture a shock of millet stalks tied together after harvest: shock -> ショク, and the grain is ready.