蜾
the solitary wasp
Strokes14
Readings
On'yomi
- カ
- ラ
Kun'yomi
- じがばち
Meaning
蜾 refers specifically to a type of solitary wasp, a lone insect that builds individual nests rather than living in colonies.
Most common words using 蜾
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Etymology
蜾 combines 虫 (insect) with 果, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The character was created to name a specific wasp species.
Meaning mnemonic
The insect radical 虫 beside 果 (fruit) suggests a wasp that might be found near fruit or that builds a nest resembling a small fruit. Picture a lone wasp guarding its fruit-shaped nest.
Reading mnemonic
For カ, imagine a solitary wasp buzzing around a car (カ) parked near a fruit tree: the car sound cues カ, and the wasp is drawn to the fruit.