Level XVI of XX on the frequency path
Frequency rank 1996 / 2,608
Rarer in this ranking, but still part of the 2,608-character published set.
More common than 醸 (Brew), less common than 賄 (Bribe).
Alcohol on the left ages with something old on the right — old alcohol undergoes fermentation, the aging process transforming it into something richer.
酵 is rank 1996 of 2,608 in published Japanese.
Study 酵 →