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Kotomora

騷

harass, bother, annoy, disturb, agitate, sad, grieved

StatusJinmeiyō (variant)Strokes20

Readings

On'yomi

  • ソウ

Kun'yomi

  • さわ.ぐ
  • うれい
  • さわが.しい

Meaning

騷 centers on stirring up trouble or inner turmoil: harassing, bothering, agitating, or feeling sad and grieved. The meanings range from external disturbance to internal distress.

Study

Etymology

騷 is the traditional form of modern 騒. It combines 馬 (horse) with 蚤 (flea), suggesting the restless agitation of a horse bothered by fleas, extended to emotional disturbance.

Meaning mnemonic

A horse 馬 with a flea 蚤 on it becomes restless and agitated, kicking up a disturbance. That agitation can also feel like sadness or grief.

Reading mnemonic

For ソウ, imagine the horse making a low, sad sound: 'sou...' as it is bothered by the flea. The sound 'sou' cues ソウ while the horse is harassed.