颫

storm

Strokes13

Readings

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颫 centers on a violent atmospheric disturbance: a storm. The single given meaning is straightforward, with no abstract extensions.

颫 combines 風 (wind) with 夫, which likely acts as a phonetic component. The character is rare, and its exact historical development is uncertain.

The wind radical 風 wraps around 夫, like a man (夫) caught in a fierce storm. Picture a husband bracing against howling winds.

For フ, imagine the storm wind making a long 'foo' sound as it blows: foo -> フ, and the wind enclosure 風 reinforces the windy scene.