釀
brew, cause
StatusJinmeiyō (variant)Strokes24
Readings
On'yomi
- ジョウ
Kun'yomi
- かも.す
Meaning
釀 centers on the process of fermentation that produces alcohol: brewing. The "cause" sense extends from the idea of brewing as a slow, transformative process that brings something about.
Study
Etymology
釀 combines 酉 (wine vessel, fermentation) with 襄, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to assisting or aiding, suggesting the process of brewing.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 酉 is a wine jar, and the right side 襄 looks like a complex setup of tools and ingredients. Picture a brewer carefully combining everything inside the jar to start the brewing process.
Reading mnemonic
For ジョウ, imagine a brewer named Joe who is famous for his brewing: Joe -> ジョウ, and his jar 酉 is always bubbling with new creations.