饐
go bad, sour
Strokes21
Readings
On'yomi
- イ
- エイ
- エツ
Kun'yomi
- す.える
- むせ.ぶ
Meaning
饐 centers on food spoiling: going bad, turning sour, or becoming inedible. The sourness is a natural result of that spoilage.
Most common words using 饐
- 饐えるすえる
to go bad (of food); to spoil; to turn sour
Study
Etymology
饐 combines the food radical 飠 with 壹, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to the idea of something being sealed or contained, leading to spoilage. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The food radical 飠 beside 壹, which looks like a container with a lid, suggests food left sealed too long: it goes bad and turns sour.
Reading mnemonic
For イ, imagine the sour smell making you say 'Ee!' in disgust: 'Ee!' -> イ, as the food goes bad.