Be wise. Be brave. Be tricky. (slithytove) wrote,
Be wise. Be brave. Be tricky.
slithytove
  • Mood: cold

KAI

kowa(reru), kowa(su)
meaning: break, destroy, ruin

崩壊 == houkaii == (noun which can act as a verb using する) collapse, decay (physics), crumbling, breaking down, caving in
壊滅 == kaimetsu == (noun which can act as a verb using する) estruction, annihilation

Left radical is 'earth'(土), here meaning 'earthen rampart'. Right radical is a character only found in Chinese meaning 'warp/conceal/carry in sleeve', which acts phonetically to express 'destroy'. The bottom portion of the right radical is 'clothing' (衣). Henshall suggests taking the top portion as a 'ten' (十), 'four' (四), and as a mnemonic: 'Ruin clothes destroying fourteen earthen walls.'

Info from Taka Kanji Database
List of compounds including this character from Risu Dictionary

Subscribe
  • Post a new comment

    Error

    switch
    default userpic

    Your reply will be screened

    Your IP address will be recorded 

    When you submit the form an invisible reCAPTCHA check will be performed.
    You must follow the Privacy Policy and Google Terms of use.
    Help
  • 0 comments