Why do we write かぜ (cold) as 風邪, not just 風?
The second kanji (邪) is left unread, so why isn't it redundant?
Perhaps, that's to make sure cold doesn't sound like wind. But then why don't we read it in the word 風邪 (かぜ)?
Japanese Language Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for students, teachers, and linguists wanting to discuss the finer points of the Japanese language. It only takes a minute to sign up.
Sign up to join this communityWhy do we write かぜ (cold) as 風邪, not just 風?
The second kanji (邪) is left unread, so why isn't it redundant?
Perhaps, that's to make sure cold doesn't sound like wind. But then why don't we read it in the word 風邪 (かぜ)?
かぜ in the context of this question has two (related) meanings.
The second kanji (邪) is left unread
This is not the correct way to think about it. All non-Chinese readings of kanji are basically Japanese translations of Chinese words. In principle, any kanji or a string of multiple kanji can be read with a Japanese translation that is etymologically distinct from the Chinese word the kanji represents.