耡
plough, spade
Strokes13
Readings
On'yomi
- ジョ
Kun'yomi
- す.く
- すき
Meaning
耡 centers on a farming tool for turning soil: a plough or spade. Both meanings describe the same kind of heavy digging implement.
Study
Etymology
耡 combines 耒 (a plough-like farming tool) with 助, which likely contributes the sound and may reinforce the idea of assistance in tilling.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 耒 is a farming tool, and the right side 助 means help. Together they suggest a tool that helps turn the soil: a plough or spade.
Reading mnemonic
For ジョ, imagine a farmer named Joe who uses a heavy plough: Joe -> ジョ, and Joe's spade helps him till the field.