染 dye

(waterleft) + 九 (the number 9) + 木 (tree)
★★★☆☆
9 strokes

Onyomi

SEN

Mnemonic

SEND the artists to dye 9 trees with liquid dye!

Kunyomi

しみ a stain (usually used like this : しみをかける)
★★★☆☆
( を ) そ*める to dye one's hair
★☆☆☆☆
( が ) そ*まる to be dyed, colored, stained
★★★☆☆

Jukugo

汚染(おせん)

pollution/contamination ★★☆☆☆
汚 (dirty) + 染 (dye) = 汚染 (pollution/contamination)

pollution OR contamination. (BOOBOO : If you want to say "environmental pollution," you have to use 汚染、 not 公害。)

Lookalikes

Meaning Hint Radical
染 dye TREE 木
塗 paint EARTH 土

paint, dye The TREE's bark contains dye.
When it rains, it drips down and paints the EARTH around the tree.

Synonyms

pollution
汚染    公害