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Kotomora

肓

interior region of the body too deep to be reached by acupuncture

Strokes7

Readings

On'yomi

  • コウ

Kun'yomi

—

Meaning

肓 refers to a deep, inaccessible region inside the body, specifically the area between the heart and diaphragm that is beyond the reach of acupuncture needles.

Most common words using 肓

  • 病膏肓に入るやまいこうこうにいる

    to become seriously ill; to catch an incurable illness

  • 膏肓こうこう

    innermost part of the body (where a disease cannot be treated)

Explore all words using 肓 →

Study

Etymology

肓 combines 亡 (to lose, disappear) with 月 (flesh/body part), suggesting a hidden or lost region within the body. The exact historical development is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The top 亡 looks like a lid covering something, and the bottom 月 is flesh. Imagine a sealed-off, hidden chamber deep inside the body where no needle can reach.

Reading mnemonic

For コウ, picture a deep, hidden cove inside the body: cove -> コウ, a place too deep to reach.