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Kotomora

褊

narrow, small

Strokes14

Readings

On'yomi

  • ヘン

Kun'yomi

  • せま.い

Meaning

褊 centers on restricted physical extent: something narrow or small in size. The two given meanings are direct expressions of this same idea of limited space.

Study

Etymology

褊 combines 衤 (clothing) with 扁, which likely contributes the sound and carries a sense of flatness or narrowness. The character originally referred to narrow or tight clothing, later extending to narrowness in general.

Meaning mnemonic

The clothing radical 衤 beside 扁 suggests a garment that is too tight or narrow. Picture a shirt that is too small, squeezing you uncomfortably.

Reading mnemonic

For ヘン, imagine a narrow henhouse where the chickens are squeezed together: hen -> ヘン, and the cramped space matches the narrowness of 褊.