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Kotomora

隨

at the mercy of (the waves)

Strokes16

Readings

On'yomi

  • ズイ

Kun'yomi

  • まにまに
  • したが.う

Meaning

隨 centers on being carried along by external forces without resistance: being at the mercy of something, following passively, or yielding to circumstances.

Study

Etymology

隨 combines ⻖ (mound, hill) with 遀, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of following or yielding. The exact historical development of 遀 is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side ⻖ suggests a slope or hill, and the right side 遀 looks like something flowing downward. Picture a leaf being carried down a hillside stream, completely at the mercy of the water.

Reading mnemonic

For ズイ, imagine a leaf drifting at the mercy of a lazy river, making a soft 'zooey' sound as it swirls: zooey -> ズイ.