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Kotomora

龜

turtle, tortoise

Strokes18

Readings

On'yomi

  • キ
  • キュウ
  • キン

Kun'yomi

  • かめ

Nanori

  • ひさし

Meaning

龜 centers on the shelled reptile: a turtle or tortoise. The two meanings are essentially the same animal, with tortoise often implying a land-dwelling variety.

Study

Etymology

龜 is a pictograph of a turtle seen from above, with the shell, head, legs, and tail stylized into the modern character. The form is ancient and well-established.

Meaning mnemonic

The top part suggests the turtle's head and front legs, the middle boxy section its shell, and the lower strokes its tail and back legs. Together, 龜 is a turtle.

Reading mnemonic

For キ, imagine a turtle carrying a key on its shell: key -> キ, and the turtle slowly moves with the key.