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Kotomora

脬

bladder

Strokes11

Readings

On'yomi

  • ホウ
  • ヒョウ

Kun'yomi

  • ぼうこう

Meaning

脬 centers on the bladder, a bodily organ that holds fluid.

Study

Etymology

脬 combines the flesh radical ⺼ with 孚, which likely contributes the sound. The exact historical development of the character is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The flesh radical ⺼ suggests a body part, and 孚 looks like a hand over a child, but here think of a fleshy pouch holding liquid: the bladder.

Reading mnemonic

For ホウ, imagine a bladder swelling like a balloon: the 'ho' sound of a deep breath and the 'u' of a full balloon combine to cue ホウ.