# 控 abstain

(handleft) + 空 (air)
★☆☆☆☆
11 strokes

## Onyomi

KOU |

## Mnemonic

| Abstain from COCAINE! When your hand reaches out for it, it just grabs empty air instead. Because I snatched your little mirror. Zoinks!

## Kunyomi

ひか*える | Sometimes means 'to wait,' but often means, 'to repress one's true feelings or refrain from actions you really secretly want to do. ' Pretty much the same as 抑える、 but there are two important distinctions: 抑える is something you do because society forces you to, but 控える is something you do because YOU want to. Also 控える is usually used about repressing or refraining from doing ACTIONS, while 抑える usually referrs to only repressing feelings. ★★☆☆☆

## Synonyms

cut down on, reduce 減る 控える 縮小
repress 慎む 抑える 抑制 控える
waiting room 待合室 控え室