hug

(handleft) + (wrap) Same-ON
★★★★☆
8 strokes
SOLOCOCK
You'd think that 'hug' would be the nicest kanji, but no, it's another COCK.

Both kunyomi have the same particle (を) AND the same okurigana (く), but are pronounced differently . . . so it's impossible to tell which one it is!

Luckily, one of the kunyomi is very very rarely used, so you can just assume it's the other one. Sigh.

Onyomi

HOU

He's a christian, so he'll just hug HOES instead of fornicating them.

Mnemonic

You hug by wrapping your hands around someone.

Kunyomi

( を or が ) かか*える to embrace, to grasp
★★☆☆☆
だ*く hug
★★★☆☆
いだ*く metaphorically hold (a suspicion, a belief, a grudge) 1/2 KANA
☆☆☆☆☆

Lookalikes

Meaning Hint Radical
verse of a poem MOUTH
scent (good or bad) HEEL
wrap YOURSELF
hug HAND

With your MOUTH you sing a verse.

That HEEL's scent is the worst.

Wrap YOURSELF up in gauze from the nurse.

With my HANDS, I hugged Fred Durst.

Meaning Hint Radical
put in custody VERSE
hug MYSELF

Cops put you in custody for singing a VERSE about the Emperor's mama.

I hug by wrapping MYSELF around someone.