袜
socks, stockings
Readings
On'yomi
- バツ
- マチ
Kun'yomi
- たび
Meaning
袜 centers on foot coverings: socks and stockings. The meaning is straightforward and concrete, with no major abstract extensions.
Study
Etymology
袜 is a phono-semantic compound: the clothing radical 衤 (衣) indicates the meaning related to garments, while 末 likely contributes the sound. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the component structure is clear.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 衤 is the clothing radical, and the right side 末 looks like a tree with a long top stroke. Imagine hanging socks and stockings on a tree branch to dry: the clothing radical reminds you they are garments, and the tree-like shape helps you picture them hanging.
Reading mnemonic
For バツ, imagine a pair of socks that are so worn out they have bats (holes) in them: bats -> バツ, and the socks are falling apart.