譏
slander, disparage, censure, criticize
Strokes19
Readings
On'yomi
- キ
Kun'yomi
- そし.る
Meaning
譏 centers on attacking someone's reputation or worth through words: slandering, disparaging, censuring, or harshly criticizing.
Most common words using 譏
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Etymology
譏 combines 言 (speech, words) with 幾, which likely contributes the sound and may carry a sense of smallness or subtlety, together suggesting subtle or indirect verbal attacks.
Meaning mnemonic
Words (言) combined with 幾, which looks intricate and sharp, like many small barbs: imagine using many tiny, cutting remarks to slander or criticize someone.
Reading mnemonic
For キ, picture a key (キー) being used to scratch someone's reputation: the key sound cues キ, and the scratching represents slander.