襲

音読おんよみ: シュウ

訓読くんよみ: おそう

画数かくすう: 22

部首ぶしゅ: ころも（衣）

Meaning

Attack / advance on / succeed to / inherit.

  • 襲おそう — to attack; to assault
  • 襲撃しゅうげき — raid; attack; assault
  • 奇襲きしゅう — surprise attack
  • 強襲きょうしゅう — strong assault
  • 世襲せしゅう — hereditary succession
  • 継襲けいしゅう — succession; inheritance
  • 夜襲やしゅう — night raid

The kanji combines the clothing element with the sound component 龍 (dragon). Together, it suggests wrapping or layering like a garment, but also conveys the sudden, overwhelming force of a dragon — leading to meanings such as “attack” and “advance.” By extension, it also means “inherit” or “succeed to,” as traditions and roles are carried forward.

衣

Picture a dragon suddenly wrapping itself in garments — a dramatic image of force and surprise. That makes it easy to link 襲 with the idea of “attack” or “assault.”

撃
Creates

襲撃しゅうげき — raid; assault; violent attack.

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