鑠
melt, be charmed, captivated
Strokes23
Readings
On'yomi
- シャク
Kun'yomi
- とろ.かす
- と.かす
Meaning
鑠 centers on a powerful transformation that softens or overwhelms: metal melting into liquid, or a person being so charmed or captivated that their resistance dissolves.
Most common words using 鑠
- 矍鑠かくしゃく
vigorous (in old age); hale and hearty
Study
Etymology
鑠 combines 金 (metal) with 樂, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of melting or dissolving. The character originally referred to melting metal, and the captivated sense is a later figurative extension.
Meaning mnemonic
Metal 金 on the left, and 樂 (music/pleasure) on the right. Picture intense heat melting metal until it flows like a beautiful, captivating melody.
Reading mnemonic
For シャク, imagine a blacksmith melting metal with a sharp, rhythmic shock of the hammer: shock -> シャク, and the metal softens under the captivating rhythm.