羶
smelling like a sheep
Strokes19
Readings
On'yomi
- セン
Kun'yomi
- なまぐさ.い
Meaning
羶 centers on the strong, distinctive odor of sheep or mutton. The meaning is specific to that animal smell, not a general term for fragrance or stench.
Most common words using 羶
Study
Etymology
羶 combines 羊 (sheep) with 亶, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to the idea of spreading or extending, possibly referring to the way the smell of sheep spreads. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is a sheep 羊, and the right side 亶 looks like a container with something spreading out. Imagine a sheep pen where the strong smell of sheep spreads from the container-like enclosure.
Reading mnemonic
For セン, picture a hundred (百, ひゃく) sheep in a pen, and their smell is so strong you can sense it from far away: sense -> セン.