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Kotomora

鎖

chain, irons, connection

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes18

Readings

On'yomi

  • サ

Kun'yomi

  • くさり
  • とざ.す

Meaning

鎖 centers on linking things together with a physical restraint: a chain, irons, or a connection that binds.

Most common words using 鎖

20 of 122

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Etymology

鎖 combines 金 (metal) with a phonetic component that originally depicted small shells or pieces, suggesting metal links or a chain.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 金 (metal) hints at the material, and the right side looks like a series of linked items (⺌ over 貝). Picture a metal chain made of small connected pieces.

Reading mnemonic

For サ, imagine a chain made of metal links that clink with a sharp 'sa' sound when shaken: sa -> サ.