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Kotomora

黃

yellow, surname

StatusJinmeiyō (variant)Strokes12

Readings

On'yomi

  • コウ
  • オウ

Kun'yomi

  • き

Meaning

黃 centers on the color yellow. The surname sense is a natural extension of the color name used as a family name.

Study

Etymology

黃 is the traditional form of 黄. It is thought to depict a person with a jade ornament or a field with a distinctive mark, associated with the color of earth or jade. The exact origin is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The shape suggests a field 田 with something spread across the top and bottom, like yellow earth or a yellow ornament. Think of 黃 as the rich yellow of soil or jade.

Reading mnemonic

For コウ, imagine a yellow coat hanging in a field: coat -> コウ, and the coat is bright yellow like 黃.