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Kotomora

蝯

ape

Strokes15

Readings

On'yomi

  • エン
  • オン

Kun'yomi

  • てながざる

Meaning

蝯 centers on a specific kind of ape, likely a gibbon or long-armed ape, as suggested by its Japanese kun reading てながざる (long-armed monkey). The single English meaning 'ape' captures this general category.

Study

Etymology

蝯 combines 虫 (insect/reptile/creature) with 爰, which likely contributes the sound. The character likely originally referred to a type of ape, with 虫 used broadly for animals in older Chinese classification.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 虫 (creature) and the right side 爰 (which looks like a hand reaching down) together suggest a long-armed creature: an ape.

Reading mnemonic

For エン, imagine an ape swinging through the trees and landing with a soft 'en' sound as it grabs a branch. The 'en' sound cues エン.