銷
erase, shut (door)
Strokes15
Readings
On'yomi
- ショウ
- ソウ
Kun'yomi
- け.す
- と.ける
- かわ.す
- とろ.かす
Meaning
銷 centers on making something disappear or become inaccessible: erasing marks or shutting a door so that what is inside is hidden from view.
Study
Etymology
銷 combines 金 (metal) with 肖, which likely contributes the sound. The original meaning relates to melting or dissolving metal, which extends to erasing or shutting.
Meaning mnemonic
Metal 金 on the left and 肖 on the right: imagine using a metal scraper to erase writing, or a metal bolt to shut a door tight.
Reading mnemonic
For ショウ, picture a metal door shutting with a showy, dramatic clang: show -> ショウ, and the metal door is now closed.