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Kotomora

郤

crevice, interstice

Strokes10

Readings

On'yomi

  • ゲキ
  • キャク
  • ケキ

Kun'yomi

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Meaning

郤 centers on a narrow opening or gap: a crevice or interstice, the small space between things.

Study

Etymology

郤 combines 谷 (valley) with ⻏ (a form of 邑, settlement). The exact historical development is uncertain, but the character likely originally referred to a place name or a narrow valley-like opening.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 谷 is a valley, a natural gap in the land. The right side ⻏ looks like a small enclosed space. Together they suggest a narrow crevice or interstice, like a tiny valley between two surfaces.

Reading mnemonic

For ゲキ, imagine a narrow crevice so tight it makes a squeaky 'geki' sound when you try to squeeze through: geki -> ゲキ.