詬
ridicule
Strokes13
Readings
On'yomi
- コウ
- ク
Kun'yomi
- ののし.る
- はじ
- はずかし.める
Meaning
詬 centers on using words to attack someone's dignity: ridicule, insult, or shame.
Study
Etymology
詬 combines 言 (speech) with 后, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to the idea of verbal attack or shame. The exact historical development of the right component is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
Words 言 from a ruler 后 can ridicule and shame a subject. Picture a haughty empress using cutting remarks to humiliate someone.
Reading mnemonic
For コウ, imagine a court jester ridiculing the king with a loud 'KO-UGH!' cough: the sound 'KO-UGH' cues コウ while the jester mocks the ruler.