貎
lion, wild beast, wild horse
Strokes15
Readings
On'yomi
- ゲイ
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
貎 centers on large, powerful wild animals: a lion, a wild beast, or a wild horse. The meanings share the idea of a fierce, untamed creature.
Study
Etymology
貎 combines 豸 (beast) with 兒, which likely contributes the sound. The character is used for fierce wild animals, especially the lion.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 豸 is a beast, and the right side 兒 looks like a child. Imagine a wild beast that is as fierce as a lion, yet its face has a child-like innocence—a wild horse or lion with a deceptive appearance.
Reading mnemonic
For ゲイ, picture a wild lion letting out a loud 'gay' roar as it charges: gay -> ゲイ, and the beast's cry echoes across the savanna.