蜿
meandering
Strokes14
Readings
On'yomi
- エン
- ワン
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
蜿 centers on winding, curving movement like a snake or a twisting path. Its core idea is meandering in a sinuous, indirect way.
Most common words using 蜿
- 蜿蜿長蛇えんえんちょうだ
long and serpentine (line, queue, etc.)
Study
Etymology
蜿 combines 虫 (insect/snake) with 宛, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of bending or curving. The character is used for winding, snake-like movement.
Meaning mnemonic
The insect radical 虫 suggests a snake or worm, and 宛 looks like a bent, winding shape. Picture a snake meandering through grass, its body curving like the strokes of 宛.
Reading mnemonic
For エン, imagine a meandering path shaped like the letter 'N' that goes on endlessly: 'N' -> エン, and the path winds forever.