鴦
female mandarin duck
Strokes16
Readings
On'yomi
- オウ
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
鴦 refers specifically to the female mandarin duck, a bird known for its pairing symbolism.
Most common words using 鴦
Study
Etymology
鴦 combines 央 (center) with 鳥 (bird). The character likely uses 央 for its sound to name the female mandarin duck, a bird often paired with the male (鴛).
Meaning mnemonic
The top 央 looks like a person standing under a roof, and the bottom 鳥 is a bird. Picture a female mandarin duck nesting safely in the center of a pond, under overhanging branches.
Reading mnemonic
For オウ, imagine the female duck saying 'Oh!' (オウ) as she sees her reflection in the water, right in the center of the pond.