緬
fine thread, Burma
Readings
On'yomi
- メン
- ベン
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
緬 centers on fine thread, and by extension the country Burma (Myanmar), likely from a phonetic loan or historical association with silk routes.
Most common words using 緬
- 縮緬ちりめん
(silk) crepe; crape
- 唐縮緬とうちりめん
mousseline de laine; mousseline; light woollen fabric
- 御召縮緬おめしちりめん
(high-quality) silk crepe (fabric)
- 泰緬鉄道たいめんてつどう
Thai-Burma Railway
- 絽縮緬ろちりめん
type of crêpe; gauze crêpe
- 緋縮緬ひぢりめん
crimson crepe (fabric)
- 緬めん
Myanmar; Burma
- 緬甸めんでん
Burma
- 縮緬雑魚ちりめんじゃこ
dried young sardines
- 英緬戦争えいめんせんそう
Anglo-Burmese Wars (1823-1826, 1852-1853, 1885-1887)
- 訪緬ほうめん
visit to Myanmar; visit to Burma
- 金紗縮緬きんしゃちりめん
silk crepe
Study
Etymology
緬 combines 糸 (thread) with 面, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to the idea of fine or delicate thread. The Burma meaning is a phonetic loan.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is thread 糸, and the right side is face 面. Imagine a face so delicate it looks like it's made of fine thread.
Reading mnemonic
For メン, picture a man weaving fine thread: man -> メン, and his face is reflected in the delicate fabric.