Origin

This character combines water (the left component, shown as three dots or a line) with the idea of weakness or frailty (the right component). The image suggests something that becomes weak or powerless when surrounded by water — a person drowning loses their strength and control. Over time, the character extended to mean indulging or becoming absorbed in something, as if one is drowning in desire or habit. The logic is that both drowning and indulgence involve losing your grip on self-control.

AI-generated (claude-haiku-4-5), not yet reviewed. Formation type (automated guess): Compound ideographic (combined meanings).