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Kotomora

萁

kind of grasses, bean stocks & pods

Strokes11

Readings

On'yomi

  • キ
  • カイ

Kun'yomi

  • まめがら

Meaning

萁 refers to a type of grass-like plant, specifically the stalks and pods left after beans are harvested. It centers on the dry, fibrous remains of bean plants used as roughage or kindling.

Study

Etymology

萁 combines the grass radical 艹 with 其, which likely provides the sound. The character originally referred to bean stalks and similar grassy plant remains.

Meaning mnemonic

The grass radical 艹 sits above 其, like dry bean stalks piling up in a field after harvest. Think of the leftover pods and stems as a kind of grass.

Reading mnemonic

For キ, imagine a key made of twisted bean stalks: key -> キ, and the key unlocks the barn where the beans are stored.