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Kotomora

褪

fade, discolour

Strokes15

Readings

On'yomi

  • タイ
  • トン

Kun'yomi

  • あ.せる
  • ぬ.ぐ

Meaning

褪 centers on loss of color or intensity: fading, discoloring, or losing vibrancy. The idea extends naturally to taking off clothes, as if color is being removed.

Most common words using 褪

  • 色褪せるいろあせる

    to fade (of a colour); to grow dull in color (colour)

  • 褪せるあせる
    N1

    to fade; to discolor; to discolour

  • 色褪めるいろざめる

    to fade in color; to fade in colour

  • 褪めるさめる

    to fade; to lose colour (color); to discolour (discolor)

Explore all words using 褪 →

Study

Etymology

褪 combines 衤 (clothing) with 退 (retreat, withdraw), suggesting color withdrawing from cloth or clothes being removed. The phonetic role of 退 is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

Clothing 衤 that retreats 退: imagine a shirt fading in the sun as its color retreats, or someone taking off a garment.

Reading mnemonic

For タイ, picture a tie fading in the wash: tie -> タイ, and the color retreats from the fabric.