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嗌 is a phono-semantic compound: the left radical 口 (mouth) places it in the domain of oral anatomy or vocalization, and the right component 益 provides the phonetic value "yì" or "ài" (depending on regional or historical dialect) while originally meaning "benefit" or "increase". It primarily denotes the throat or pharynx, the passage linking the mouth to the respiratory and digestive tracts. The character also developed the extended meaning of shouting, choking, or vocal distress, associating the throat with the forceful expulsion of air and sound these acts require.
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