茉
jasmine
JLPTN1StatusJinmeiyōStrokes8
Readings
On'yomi
- マツ
- バツ
- マ
Kun'yomi
—
Nanori
- み
Meaning
茉 refers specifically to the jasmine plant, often appearing in compound words for jasmine flowers or tea.
Most common words using 茉
Study
Etymology
茉 is a phono-semantic compound: the grass radical 艹 indicates a plant, and 末 (マツ) gives the sound. It was created to represent the jasmine plant.
Meaning mnemonic
The top grass radical 艹 shows it's a plant, and the bottom 末 (end/tip) can remind you of the delicate tips of jasmine flowers.
Reading mnemonic
For マツ, imagine a jasmine-scented mat where you rest: mat -> マツ, and the jasmine fragrance fills the air.