Nihongo

Kanji Detail of 麿

麿

Level:N1 High
Strokes:18
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AI Explanation
Basic Meaning

The kanji 麿 primarily represents a specific, archaic term. It denotes a humble self-reference, similar to "I" or "me", but with a strong sense of deference or servitude. It was often used in formal or literary contexts, and by those who wished to express humility towards another person.

Readings

・On-yomi (音読み): ma (as in, no common use as an independent word) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): 麿 (maro)

Usage Examples

⚫︎麿は参りました。 Translation: I am defeated. (Literally: 麿 has yielded.) ⚫︎麿はこれより参ります。 Translation: I shall come now. (Formal and humble way to say "I'm coming.") ⚫︎麿の意見では… Translation: In my humble opinion... (Literary or historical usage to express one's thoughts)

Origin and Formation

The character 麿 is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字). The right side of the character is 麻 (ma), which suggests a phonetic element and is also used to derive meaning, and the left side of the character is 疒 (pronounced as "byō" in Japanese), which means "sickness" or "illness". Therefore, the original meaning of 麿is interpreted as "a humble self". It can be also derived from the words "like a 麻(ma)", showing humbleness.

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