riddle, puzzle, enigma, hint, tip
謎 centers on something that is not immediately clear and requires thought to understand: a riddle, puzzle, or enigma. The hint and tip senses are natural extensions, as they are clues that help solve such mysteries.
謎 combines 言 (speech) with 迷 (to be perplexed or lost), suggesting words that cause confusion or require unraveling. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the component relationship is clear.
Words (言) that make you feel lost (迷) are riddles. Picture a confusing spoken puzzle that leaves you wandering in thought.
For メイ, imagine a mysterious riddle written on a May calendar page: May -> メイ, and the riddle's words leave you puzzled.
riddle; puzzle; enigma; mystery
riddle; puzzle; enigma
mystifying; puzzling; perplexing; baffling; bewildering
telling a riddle
enigmatic; puzzling; mysterious; wrapped in mystery
to be enigmatic; to be puzzling; to be wrapped in mystery
to pose a riddle
to solve a mystery
confusing set-up; puzzling method
dyeing pattern incorporating a riddle
solving a riddle; solving a mystery
mysterious words; confusing words