KanjiJLPT N1
Scold

scold, reprove

Mnemonic

A mouth opens wide to scold you exactly seven times in a row. Each scolding is harsher than the last — by the seventh, the mouth is practically screaming. Seven brutal rounds of verbal fury from one furious mouth. You won't forget that lesson.
Additional thoughts
Picture a giant disembodied mouth hovering before you, counting each reprimand on its tongue — one through seven. The number seven gives the scolding a ritual, relentless quality, driving the lesson home.
Quick recall
A mouth Scolds you seven brutal times until you learn your lesson.

Details

The keyword for 叱 is scold. This kanji refers to the act of harshly reprimanding or rebuking someone for a fault or wrongdoing. It conveys the sense of raising one's voice in sharp criticism, often from a position of authority such as a parent correcting a child or a teacher disciplining a student. The emphasis is on verbal chastisement delivered with strong emotion and the intent to correct behavior.
On'yomi
しつ、しち、か
Kun'yomi
しか.る

Used in vocab