膩
smooth, oily
Strokes16
Readings
On'yomi
- ジ
- ニ
Kun'yomi
- あぶら
- あぶらあか
Meaning
膩 centers on a rich, smooth texture that feels oily or greasy, like something coated in fat or oil.
Most common words using 膩
- 垢膩こうじ
dirt and grease; filth; grime
Study
Etymology
膩 combines the flesh radical ⺼ with 貳, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of something rich or abundant, suggesting fatty or oily flesh.
Meaning mnemonic
The flesh radical ⺼ on the left and the abundant-looking 貳 on the right suggest meat that is rich and smooth with fat.
Reading mnemonic
For ジ, imagine a rich, oily dish that makes you say 'Gee, that's smooth!' – 'Gee' cues ジ.