笞
whip, rod, scourge, crime punishable by flogging
Strokes11
Readings
On'yomi
- チ
Kun'yomi
- むち
- しもと
Meaning
笞 centers on a tool for striking as punishment: a whip, rod, or scourge, and by extension the flogging itself.
Most common words using 笞
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Etymology
笞 combines 竹 (bamboo) with 台, which likely contributes the sound. Bamboo rods were used for punishment, fitting the whip/rod meaning.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 竹 is bamboo, and the bottom 台 looks like a stand. Imagine a bamboo rod resting on a stand, ready to be used as a whip for punishment.
Reading mnemonic
For チ, picture a whip made of bamboo striking with a sharp 'chi!' sound: chi -> チ, and the bamboo rod delivers the flogging.