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Kotomora

藕

lotus, lotus root, arrowroot

Strokes18

Readings

On'yomi

  • グウ
  • グ
  • ゴウ

Kun'yomi

  • はすのね

Meaning

藕 centers on the lotus plant, especially its edible root, and by extension arrowroot, another starchy root vegetable.

Study

Etymology

藕 combines 艹 (grass/plant) with 耦, which likely contributes the sound. The character refers to the lotus plant, particularly its root.

Meaning mnemonic

The grass radical 艹 sits above 耦, like a plant growing from the ground. Picture a lotus plant with its edible root hidden below.

Reading mnemonic

For グウ, imagine a gooey lotus root being pulled from the mud: gooey -> グウ, and the sticky root matches the plant.