羹
hot soup
Readings
On'yomi
- コウ
- カン
Kun'yomi
- あつもの
Meaning
羹 centers on a rich, savory hot soup, often thickened or containing meat and vegetables.
Most common words using 羹
- 羊羹ようかん
yōkan; jellied dessert made from red bean paste, agar, and sugar
- 羹あつもの
broth made of fish and vegetables
- 栗羊羹くりようかん
chestnut yōkan
- 練り羊羹ねりようかん
neri yōkan; firm adzuki-bean jelly
- 羊羹色ようかんいろ
rusty color produced when black or purple clothes fade
- 羹に懲りて膾を吹くあつものにこりてなますをふく
a burnt child dreads the fire; once bitten twice shy; to become overcautious from a bad experience
- 蒸し羊羹むしようかん
steamed yōkan; steamed adzuki-bean jelly
- 軽羹かるかん
steamed sweet bun made from grated yam and rice flour
Study
Etymology
羹 combines 羔 (lamb) and 美 (beautiful, delicious), suggesting a tasty lamb-based soup. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the components point to a savory dish.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 羔 suggests lamb, and the bottom 美 means delicious. Picture a beautiful, delicious lamb soup steaming in a bowl: that's 羹, hot soup.
Reading mnemonic
For コウ, imagine a chef pouring hot soup into a bowl and saying 'ko' as it steams: 'ko' -> コウ, the sound of hot soup being served.