薏
seed of job's tears, lotus seed
Strokes16
Readings
On'yomi
- ヨク
- オク
- イ
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
薏 refers to the seed of Job's tears, a grain-like plant, and by extension lotus seed, likely due to similar appearance or use.
Most common words using 薏
- 薏苡仁よくいにん
coix seed (used in traditional Chinese medicine)
Study
Etymology
薏 combines the grass radical 艹 with 意, which likely provides the sound. The character is used for plant names, specifically Job's tears and lotus seeds.
Meaning mnemonic
The grass radical 艹 sits above 意, like seeds growing from a plant. Think of the seeds of Job's tears or lotus seeds sprouting from the grass.
Reading mnemonic
For ヨク, imagine a yoke made of Job's tears seeds: yoke -> ヨク, and the seeds are strung together like a yoke.