箕
winnowing
Readings
On'yomi
- キ
Kun'yomi
- み
Nanori
- みの
Meaning
箕 centers on the action of winnowing: separating grain from chaff using a shallow basket-like tool. The kanji refers to that winnowing process or the tool itself.
Most common words using 箕
- 箕き
Chinese "winnowing basket" constellation (one of the 28 mansions)
- 箕み
winnow; winnowing basket; winnowing fan
- 唐箕とうみ
winnower; grain fan
- 爪で拾って箕で零すつめでひろってみでこぼす
penny wise and pound foolish
- 箕作柄長提灯鮟鱇みつくりえながちょうちんあんこう
triplewart seadevil (Cryptopsaras couesii)
- 箕作鮫みつくりざめ
goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni)
- 箕借り婆みかりばば
old woman ghost from the Kanto region
- 箕宿みぼし
Chinese "winnowing basket" constellation (one of the 28 mansions)
- 箕踞ききょ
sitting with one's legs outstretched
Study
Etymology
箕 combines 竹 (bamboo) with 其, which likely contributes the sound and originally depicted a winnowing basket. Together they suggest a bamboo winnowing tool.
Meaning mnemonic
Bamboo 竹 is woven into a basket 其 to toss grain in the air: the chaff blows away and the grain stays. That is winnowing.
Reading mnemonic
For キ, imagine a key-shaped winnowing basket: key -> キ, and you use it to separate grain from chaff.