藉
carpet, lend, borrow, make excuses, spread out
Readings
On'yomi
- シャ
- セキ
- ジャク
Kun'yomi
- かり.る
- ふ.む
Meaning
藉 centers on using something as a base or intermediary: spreading a carpet to sit on, borrowing or lending through an intermediary, or making excuses as a pretext. The meanings share the idea of placing something underneath or between as a support or justification.
Most common words using 藉
- 狼藉ろうぜき
disorder; confusion
- 乱暴狼藉らんぼうろうぜき
running amok; committing an outrage; rampageous behavior
- 倚藉いしゃ
relying on; depending on
- 杯盤狼藉はいばんろうぜき
glasses and plates being scattered about after a party or banquet; articles lying about in a jumble
- 狼藉者ろうぜきもの
rioter; ruffian
- 落花狼藉らっかろうぜき
running amok; committing violence on; in utter disorder
- 藉口しゃこう
pretence; pretense
Study
Etymology
藉 combines 艹 (grass) with 耤, which historically relates to plowing and likely contributes the sound. The idea of grass spread on the ground connects to carpet and spreading out, while the borrowing and excuse senses are extended uses.
Meaning mnemonic
Grass 艹 spread over the ground 耤 becomes a natural carpet. From there, imagine using that grass mat as an excuse to borrow something: 'I need to lend you this, but first let me spread out my grass carpet.'
Reading mnemonic
For シャ, picture a shaggy grass carpet spread out on the floor: shag -> シャ, and the shaggy carpet is the perfect base for making excuses.