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Kotomora

莖

stem, stalk

Strokes10

Readings

On'yomi

  • ケイ
  • キョウ

Kun'yomi

  • くき

Meaning

莖 centers on the main supporting axis of a plant: the stem or stalk that holds up leaves and flowers.

Study

Etymology

莖 combines the grass radical 艹 with 巠, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to the idea of a vertical line or stalk. The exact historical development of 巠 is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The top 艹 is grass, and the bottom 巠 looks like a vertical line with a crossbar, like a plant's stem. Picture a sturdy stalk rising through the grass.

Reading mnemonic

For ケイ, imagine a plant stem shaped like the letter K: K -> ケイ, and the stem stands tall like a capital K.