簪
ornamental hairpin
Strokes20
Readings
On'yomi
- シン
- サン
Kun'yomi
- かんざし
Meaning
簪 centers on a decorative hairpin used as an ornament, often made of bamboo or metal, worn to secure and adorn hairstyles.
Most common words using 簪
Study
Etymology
簪 combines 竹 (bamboo) with 朁, which likely contributes the sound. The character originally referred to a bamboo hairpin, reflecting the material and function.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 竹 (bamboo) suggests the material, and the bottom 朁 looks like a pin piercing through something. Imagine a bamboo hairpin sliding into a hairstyle to hold it in place.
Reading mnemonic
For シン, picture a shiny ornamental hairpin: the word 'shiny' starts with シン, and the hairpin gleams as it secures the hair.