虧
wane (moon)
Readings
On'yomi
- キ
Kun'yomi
- か.ける
Meaning
虧 centers on the moon waning or diminishing, describing a phase where its visible shape decreases.
Most common words using 虧
- 九仞の功を一簣に虧くきゅうじんのこうをいっきにかく
to fail one step short of great success; to fall at the last hurdle
- 月満つれば則ち虧くつきみつればすなわちかく
every tide has its ebb
- 盈虧えいき
waxing and waning (of the moon); phase
- 虧盈きえい
waxing and waning
Study
Etymology
虧 is a phono-semantic compound: the left side 雐 likely contributes the sound, while the right side 亏 (originally depicting breath or loss) suggests the idea of diminishing or waning. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side looks like a bird (隹) under a tiger's stripes (虍), and the right side 亏 resembles a breath escaping. Imagine a bird watching the moon's breath fade away as it wanes.
Reading mnemonic
For キ, picture a key (キー) that unlocks the mystery of the waning moon: key -> キ, and the moon's light diminishes as you turn it.