苡
adlay, plantain
Strokes8
Readings
On'yomi
- イ
- シ
- ワ
Kun'yomi
- くさ
Meaning
苡 refers to specific plants: adlay (a grain-bearing grass) and plantain (a broad-leafed herb). The character centers on these two plant types.
Most common words using 苡
- 薏苡仁よくいにん
coix seed (used in traditional Chinese medicine)
Study
Etymology
苡 combines the plant radical 艹 with 以, which likely provides the sound. The character is used for plant names, but the exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The grass top 艹 sits above 以, like a plant growing from a base. Picture adlay stalks and plantain leaves sprouting from this shape.
Reading mnemonic
For イ, imagine an eagle (イーグル) perched on the plant: eagle -> イ, and the bird rests among the adlay.