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Kotomora

顛

overturn, summit, origin

Strokes19

Readings

On'yomi

  • テン

Kun'yomi

  • いただき
  • たお.れる

Meaning

顛 centers on the top or peak of something, and by extension the act of tipping over from that high point. The meanings 'summit' and 'origin' reflect the topmost point, while 'overturn' comes from falling from that peak.

Most common words using 顛

  • 顛末てんまつ

    details (of an incident, event, etc.); whole story; course of events; facts; circumstances; particulars

  • 造次顛沛ぞうじてんぱい

    (a) moment

  • 顛倒てんどう

    cognitive distortion

  • 顛末書てんまつしょ

    detailed written report; formal account (of steps taken in response to an incident, etc.)

  • 顛末記てんまつき

    full account

Explore all words using 顛 →

Study

Etymology

顛 combines 真 (true, real) with 頁 (head). The original idea likely relates to the top of the head or the crown, extending to summit and overturning. The exact phonetic role of 真 is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 真 (true) sits beside 頁 (head). Imagine the true top of a mountain as the head of the landscape: the summit. If something at the summit becomes unbalanced, it overturns.

Reading mnemonic

For テン, picture the number ten (テン) balanced precariously at the summit. When it overturns, the ten falls: ten -> テン.