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Kotomora

鴈

wild goose

FrequencyTop 5,000Strokes15

Readings

On'yomi

  • ガン

Kun'yomi

  • かり
  • かりがね

Meaning

鴈 centers on a wild goose, a migratory waterbird. The meaning is specific to this bird and does not extend to broader abstract ideas.

Study

Etymology

鴈 combines 厂 (cliff) with 鳥 (bird), likely depicting a wild goose near a cliff or in flight. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the components suggest a bird associated with rocky or elevated places.

Meaning mnemonic

Under a cliff 厂, a bird 鳥 stands: a wild goose resting by the rocks.

Reading mnemonic

For ガン, imagine a wild goose honking a loud 'GAN!' as it flies over the cliff: GAN -> ガン.