輈

shaft

Strokes13

Readings

On'yomi

チュウ
チュ
シュウ
シュ

Kun'yomi

—

Meaning

輈 centers on a shaft, specifically the central pole of a carriage or cart that connects the vehicle to the draft animal.

Study

Etymology

輈 combines 車 (vehicle) and 舟 (boat), likely suggesting the long central shaft of a cart that resembles the keel of a boat. The exact historical development is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

A cart 車 needs a central shaft, and the right side 舟 looks like a boat's keel—imagine a long, straight shaft running under a cart like the keel of a boat.

Reading mnemonic

For チュウ, picture a long shaft that you choose for your cart: choose -> チュウ, and the shaft is the central piece you select.