黛
blackened eyebrows
JLPTN1StatusJinmeiyōFrequencyTop 5,000Strokes16
Readings
On'yomi
- タイ
Kun'yomi
- まゆずみ
Meaning
黛 centers on the cosmetic practice of blackening eyebrows, typically with a dark pigment. The meaning is specific to this traditional makeup technique.
Most common words using 黛
Study
Etymology
黛 combines 代 (which may contribute a phonetic element) with 黒 (black), reflecting the use of a black substance for eyebrow makeup.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 代 suggests a person, and the bottom 黒 means black. Imagine a person applying black pigment to their eyebrows: that's 黛.
Reading mnemonic
For タイ, picture a person tying a black ribbon around their eyebrows: tie -> タイ, and the black ribbon darkens the brows.