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Kotomora

衞

defense

StatusJinmeiyō (variant)Strokes16

Readings

On'yomi

  • エイ
  • エ

Kun'yomi

  • まも.る

Nanori

  • まもり
  • まもる

Meaning

衞 centers on protection and guarding: the act of defending against harm.

Study

Etymology

衞 is the traditional form of 衛. It combines 行 (to go, movement) with an inner component that likely relates to guarding or encircling. The exact historical development of the inner part is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The outer 行 suggests movement or a path, while the inner part looks like a fortified area. Picture soldiers marching around a perimeter to defend it.

Reading mnemonic

For エイ, imagine a defender shouting 'Hey!' to warn off intruders: 'Hey!' -> エイ, as they guard the perimeter.