澄 means “become clear, clarity”

すむ · sumu

Also: lucidity, be clear, clear, clarify

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): すむ, すます
On'yomi (Chinese reading): チョウ

JLPT N1 · Taught in secondary school · 15 strokes

The story

Water (氵) beside 登, to climb: picture the mud sinking and clear water rising to the top. 澄む is to run clear, like mountain air or a voice, 耳を澄ます is to listen closely, and 澄まし汁 is a clear soup.

Used in 澄む (sumu, to become clear), 耳を澄ます (mimi o sumasu, to listen closely), and 澄まし汁 (sumashijiru, clear soup)

澄 means “become clear, clarity”

The story

More from Streams & Springs