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Kotomora

虢

name of ancient feudal State in Shenxi and Hunan

Strokes15

Readings

On'yomi

  • ホウ
  • カク

Kun'yomi

  • つめあと

Meaning

虢 is a historical proper noun referring to an ancient feudal state located in what is now Shaanxi and Hunan. Its meaning is purely a place name with no broader conceptual center.

Study

Etymology

虢 is a historical Chinese character used as the name of an ancient state. Its component structure combines 寽 and 虎, but the exact historical origin and the role of these components in the state name are uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

虢 is a name, so picture a map of ancient China with the state of Guo marked by a tiger (虎) clawing (寽) at the border.

Reading mnemonic

For ホウ, imagine the ancient state of Guo being announced with a loud 'hou!' cry: hou -> ホウ, as if calling out the name.