Mnemonic
A beast spots a lobster darting between two boulders. It lunges, but the gap is too narrow! The beast slams face-first into the crevice while the lobster's flat body slips right through. Furious, the beast claws at the narrow crack, but it only wedges tighter.
Additional thoughts
Picture the lobster's flat shell perfectly suited for narrow spaces, while the beast's bulk makes the same gap impossible. The pinching shape of a lobster naturally evokes tightness and confinement.Quick recall
A beast chases a lobster into a narrow crevice — too tight to follow!Details
The keyword for 狭 is narrow. This kanji refers to a lack of width or spaciousness, describing something that is confined, cramped, or limited in extent. It can apply to physical spaces like a narrow road or room, as well as more abstract uses such as a narrow perspective or mind. It stands in contrast to broad or wide, emphasizing restriction and tightness.
- On'yomi
- きょう、こう
- Kun'yomi
- せま.い、せば.める、せば.まる、さ