讎
enemy, revenge
Strokes23
Readings
On'yomi
- シュウ
Kun'yomi
- あだ
- かたき
Meaning
讎 centers on a hostile relationship: an enemy or the act of seeking revenge against one.
Most common words using 讎
- 仇讎きゅうしゅう
revenge; bitter enemy
Study
Etymology
讎 combines 雔 (a pair of birds, suggesting a matched pair or opposition) with 言 (words), likely expressing the idea of answering back or matching an opponent in words, which extended to enemy and revenge.
Meaning mnemonic
Two birds (雔) facing off with words (言) between them: imagine a pair of angry birds squawking at each other, representing an enemy or a grudge that demands revenge.
Reading mnemonic
For シュウ, picture an enemy shouting 'shoo!' at the pair of birds: shoo -> シュウ, and the birds become your rivals.