薙
mow down (the enemy)
Readings
On'yomi
- テイ
- チ
Kun'yomi
- な.ぐ
- なぎ
- か.る
Meaning
薙 centers on cutting down in a sweeping, forceful motion: mowing down enemies or vegetation in a single decisive action.
Most common words using 薙
- 薙ぐなぐ
to cut down (grass, etc.; by swinging a sickle, scythe, etc.); to mow
- 薙刀なぎなた
naginata; polearm with a curved single-edged blade (similar to a glaive)
- 大水薙鳥おおみずなぎどり
streaked shearwater (species of seabird, Calonectris leucomelas)
- 横薙ぎよこなぎ
sweeping sideways; mowing down
- 水薙鳥みずなぎどり
petrel (esp. petrels of family Procellariidae)
- 草薙の剣くさなぎのつるぎ
Kusanagi no Tsurugi (alternate name for Ama-no-Murakumo no Tsurugi; the sword of the Imperial regalia); grass-mowing sword
- 薙ぎ払うなぎはらう
to mow down; to cut down; to slash (horizontally); to make a clean sweep; to sweep away; to brush away
- 薙刀術なぎなたじゅつ
art of using a naginata
Study
Etymology
薙 combines 艹 (grass) with 雉 (pheasant), which likely contributes the sound. The idea of cutting grass or clearing vegetation is suggested by the grass component.
Meaning mnemonic
The grass top 艹 over 雉 suggests a pheasant hidden in tall grass. To flush it out, you must mow down the grass with a sweeping cut.
Reading mnemonic
For テイ, imagine mowing down grass with a sharp tool that makes a crisp 'tay' sound as it cuts: tay -> テイ, and the grass falls in one sweep.