Mnemonic
A bird trapped under a roof desperately unfurls its wings and launches upward with such force it punches a hole clean through the ceiling. Daylight floods in as the bird soars free, leaving rubble and feathers raining down through the hole.
Additional thoughts
Picture the roof shape (宀) on top and the wings (八) spreading below it — the wings pushing apart to break through. The visual of an explosion upward through the roof reinforces the idea of a cavity being created.Quick recall
Wings burst through the roof, blasting open a hole.Details
The keyword for 穴 is hole. This kanji refers to a physical opening, cavity, or hollow space, such as a burrow, cave, or any gap in a surface. It can also be used figuratively to describe a deficit, a flaw, or an unexpected opportunity, much like the English expression "finding a hole" in a plan or defense. In its most basic sense, it conveys the idea of an empty space carved into or through something.
- On'yomi
- けつ
- Kun'yomi
- あな