隼
falcon
Readings
On'yomi
- シュン
- ジュン
Kun'yomi
- はやぶさ
Nanori
- はや
Meaning
隼 centers on a specific bird of prey: the falcon, known for its speed and hunting ability.
Most common words using 隼
- 隼はやぶさ
falcon (esp. the peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus)
- 隼人はやと
Hayato; ethnic group which lived in Kyūshū in ancient times and opposed the state of Yamato
- 白隼しろはやぶさ
gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus)
- 稚児隼ちごはやぶさ
northern hobby (Falco subbuteo)
- 隼人瓜はやとうり
chayote (Sechium edule); christophine; christophene
- 鷹隼ようしゅん
hawk and falcon
Study
Etymology
隼 is a phono-semantic compound combining 隹 (bird) with 十, which may have originally represented a phonetic element or a stylized feature of the falcon. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
隹 is a bird, and 十 looks like a cross-shaped perch. Picture a falcon perched on a cross-shaped stand, ready to hunt.
Reading mnemonic
For シュン, imagine a falcon swooping down so fast it makes a 'shoon' sound: shoon -> シュン.