渋 Bitter

Radical Combination

• 氵

  Tsunami
• 止

  Stop
• Explosion

Meaning

Primary

Bitter

Alternatives

Astringent, Reluctant

Mnemonic

There's a tsunami coming and you can't stop the explosion of bitterness in your mouth. You're scared. Your mouth tastes bitter and astringent.

This word also means reluctant, because wouldn't you be reluctant to let a tsunami come wash you away with that bitter explosion of flavor in your mouth?

Hints

You're reluctant to face this bitter end at the hands of a tsunami.

Readings

On’yomi

じゅう

Kun’yomi

しぶ

Nanori

None

Mnemonic

With the bitter taste in your mouth, you reluctantly gather up all of your jewels (じゅう) and wait for the tsunami to take you away. At least with your jewels with you, there may be some hope of selling them and building a better life if you make it.

Hints

Try to stuff some of the jewels into your bitter mouth before the tsunami stops you.