翠
green, kingfisher
Readings
On'yomi
- スイ
Kun'yomi
- かわせみ
- みどり
Nanori
- あきら
Meaning
翠 centers on a vivid blue-green color, like the feathers of a kingfisher. The bird meaning is a specific application of that same striking color.
Most common words using 翠
- 翡翠かわせみ
kingfisher (esp. the common kingfisher, Alcedo atthis)
- 翡翠しょうびん
kingfisher
- 翡翠ひすい
jade (stone)
- 翠玉すいぎょく
emerald
- 山翡翠やませみ
crested kingfisher (Megaceryle lugubris)
- 翠屋みどりや
Midoriya
- 翠嵐すいらん
the sense of being engulfed in a green, mountainous atmosphere
- 翠微すいび
approx. 80% of the way up a mountainside
- 翠明荘すいめいそう
Suimeiso (hotel and restaurant chain - suimeiso.co.jp)
- 翠松すいしょう
verdant pine; green pine
- 翠緑すいりょく
green (esp. of trees, rocks, etc.)
- 翠色すいしょく
green (of lush vegetation); verdure
- 翠銅鉱すいどうこう
dioptase
- 翠黛すいたい
green eyebrow pencil; green-shaded eyebrows
- 翡翠色ひすいいろ
jade green
- 蒼翠そうすい
blue-green
- 赤翡翠あかしょうびん
ruddy kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda)
Study
Etymology
翠 combines 羽 (feathers) with 卒, which likely contributes the sound. The character originally referred to the kingfisher's blue-green plumage.
Meaning mnemonic
Feathers 羽 on top of a soldier 卒: imagine a soldier wearing a helmet adorned with brilliant kingfisher feathers, the vivid green standing out against the armor.
Reading mnemonic
For スイ, picture a kingfisher diving into a Swiss lake: Swiss -> スイ, and the bird's green feathers flash in the water.