ジュウ, シュウ, しぶ, しぶ.い, しぶ.る

astringent, hesitate, reluctant, have diarrhea

JLPT1 G7 S11 F1011

The relevant seal inscription form of shows that the doubled element on top was originally inverted feet, so that the character featured two feet pointing downward + two feet pointing upward → tangling of legs → be stopped. adds water → liquid that does not flow, but seeps (compare ) → *proceed haltingly* → *astringency* (← tongue rendered numb by the deep penetration of astringent juices; compare ) → *sober*. Also, *be unwilling/reluctant*, *austere*, *quiet* and *stingy*. is a variant form of , and a variant form of . In contemporary Japanese orthography, / is written .

[Full Kanji Etymology List]