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Kotomora

鞠

ball

JLPTN1StatusJinmeiyōStrokes17

Readings

On'yomi

  • キク
  • キュウ

Kun'yomi

  • まり

Nanori

  • まい

Meaning

鞠 centers on a ball, especially one made of leather. The meaning is concrete and specific, referring to the object itself.

Most common words using 鞠

  • 鞠まり
    N1

    ball (for sport, games, etc.)

  • 蹴鞠けまり

    kemari; type of football played by courtiers in ancient Japan

  • ゴム鞠ゴムまり

    rubber ball

  • 推鞠すいきく

    investigating (e.g. a criminal)

  • 鞠問きくもん

    questioning (someone) about a crime; interrogation

  • 鞠躬如きっきゅうじょ

    deferential; humble; reverent; respectful

Explore all words using 鞠 →

Study

Etymology

鞠 combines 革 (leather) with 匊, which likely contributes the sound. The character originally referred to a leather ball used in ancient games.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 革 means leather, and the right side 匊 looks like a ball wrapped in a hand. Picture a leather ball being cupped in a hand.

Reading mnemonic

For キク, imagine a leather ball that makes a 'kick' sound when struck: kick -> キク, and the ball is made of leather.