罔
net
Strokes8
Readings
On'yomi
- モウ
- ボウ
Kun'yomi
- あみ
- しい.る
- ない
Meaning
罔 centers on a net: a mesh structure used to catch or trap things. The meaning is concrete and straightforward.
Most common words using 罔
- 学びて思わざれば則ち罔しまなびておもわざればすなわちくらし
to study and not think is a waste; learning without thinking is useless
- 欺罔きもう
deception; defrauding someone; fooling someone; swindling; false pretences
- 誣罔ふもう
slander
Study
Etymology
罔 is a pictograph of a net, with the outer enclosure representing the frame and the inner 亡 suggesting the mesh or emptiness. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The outer shape 冂 frames a net, and inside 亡 looks like threads woven together. Picture a net stretched across a frame, ready to catch something.
Reading mnemonic
For モウ, imagine a fisherman mowing through the water with a net: mow -> モウ, and the net scoops up the catch.