衲
mend, priestly vestments, priest
Strokes9
Readings
On'yomi
- ドウ
- ノウ
Kun'yomi
- ころも
Meaning
衲 centers on mending or patching cloth, especially in a religious context. The meanings 'priestly vestments' and 'priest' extend from the traditional patched robes worn by Buddhist monks.
Most common words using 衲
- 老衲ろうのう
elderly priest
Study
Etymology
衲 combines the clothing radical 衤 with 内, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The character originally referred to patched or stitched clothing, especially the patchwork robes of Buddhist monks.
Meaning mnemonic
The clothing radical 衤 beside 内 (inside) suggests mending the inside of a garment. Picture a monk carefully patching the inner lining of his robe.
Reading mnemonic
For ドウ, imagine a monk mending his robe while chanting a deep 'doh' sound: doh -> ドウ, and the patched vestment is restored.