隷
Mnemonic
On the podium, a gentleman displays a haunting watercolor: it shows a slave in chains, kneeling. The crowd gasps. The gentleman whispers, "This was me, before I bought my freedom with art."
Additional thoughts
Picture the gentleman's trembling hand as he reveals the watercolor self-portrait from his days as a slave. The podium elevates him now, but the painting drags him back down to those chains.Quick recall
A gentleman on a podium reveals a watercolor of himself as a slave.Details
The keyword for 隷 is slave. This kanji refers to a person in servitude or bondage, someone who is subordinate and bound to serve another. In ancient China, it was used to denote those of the lowest social class who were owned as property. The character also carries broader connotations of subjugation, dependence, and being under the control of others.
- On'yomi
- れい
- Kun'yomi
- したが.う、しもべ