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Kotomora

酹

to pour out a libation, to sprinkle

Strokes14

Readings

On'yomi

  • ライ
  • ルイ
  • ラツ
  • ラチ

Kun'yomi

  • そそ.ぐ

Meaning

酹 centers on pouring a liquid offering, especially a ritual libation. The sprinkle sense is a lighter application of the same pouring action.

Study

Etymology

酹 combines 酉 (wine vessel) with 寽, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of handling or pouring. Together they express pouring a wine offering.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side is a wine jar 酉, and the right side 寽 looks like a hand holding something. Picture a hand tilting a wine jar to pour out a ritual libation.

Reading mnemonic

For ライ, imagine pouring a libation of rye whiskey: rye -> ライ, and the wine jar 酉 tips to sprinkle the offering.