横 Side

Radical Combination

• 木

  Tree
• 黄

  Yellow

Meaning

Primary

Side

Alternative

Horizontal

Mnemonic

The tree marked with a yellow X on the side of the house is going to get cut down. You’ve marked it with a yellow X so the hired help knows which tree to cut down. There are a lot of trees on the side of the house, but the tree marked with a yellow X is the only one in danger of causing damage to your roof in the event of a storm.

Hints

Picture the scene of a woman with a chainsaw cutting down this tree marked with a yellow X. Hear the sound of the chainsaw buzzing and the grinding of wood as it meets the side of the trunk. It’s very loud. Woodchips go flying everywhere.

Readings

On’yomi

おう

Kun’yomi

よこ

Nanori

None

Mnemonic

Wait, that woman with the chainsaw is Yoko (よこ) Ono! Yes, the same Yoko Ono who’s married to John Lennon of the Beatles. What’s she doing chopping down trees on the side of your house? Who can say. Silly Yoko.

Hints

Now picture the same scene as before only imagining Yoko Ono wielding that chainsaw. Maybe she’s dancing. Maybe there’s some Beatles music playing in the background. Either way it’s a strange sight – remember it.