鑽
make fire by rubbing sticks
Readings
On'yomi
- サン
Kun'yomi
- き.る
Meaning
鑽 centers on the act of creating fire through friction, specifically by rubbing sticks together. The meaning is narrow and concrete, describing an ancient fire-starting technique.
Most common words using 鑽
- 研鑽けんさん
diligent study; devoting oneself to one's studies
- 火鑽ひきり
hand drilling (to start a fire); hand drill; rubbing sticks to make a fire
- 研鑽を積むけんさんをつむ
to apply oneself (to one's studies, research, etc.); to devote oneself to study; to pursue one's studies with dedication
- 自己研鑽じこけんさん
self-improvement
- 試鑽しさん
boring; drilling
- 鑽るきる
to start a fire (with wood-wood friction or by striking metal against stone)
- 鑽孔さんこう
boring; punching
- 鑽孔テープさんこうテープ
punched tape; (perforated) paper tape
- 鑽孔機さんこうき
boring machine; punching machine; perforator
Study
Etymology
鑽 combines 金 (metal) with 贊, which likely contributes the sound. The character originally referred to a metal tool used for drilling or boring, and by extension the act of making fire by friction with such a tool.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 金 suggests a metal tool, and the right side 贊 looks like a complex mechanism. Picture a metal drill-like stick being rubbed vigorously against wood to create fire.
Reading mnemonic
For サン, imagine the sun (サン) being born from the friction of rubbing sticks: the sun's fire is created by 鑽.