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What is the Kanji for 'Follow' and 'Obey'? | 従

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Follow' and 'Obey', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Follow' and 'Obey' is 従.

    kanji

    従

    Meaning

    Follow, Obey

    Reading

    kunyomiしたが

    shitaga

    onyomiじゅう

    juu

    しょう

    shou

    じゅ

    ju

    Parts

    龰Stop (止)彳Stop 䒑Herbs

    Example Word

    従う: follow or obey. The Japanese verb '従う (したがう)' can mean 'to obey' or 'to follow'. When used to mean 'obey', it refers to complying with rules, orders, or authority. For example: obey the law「法律に従う」(ほうりつにしたがう). When used to mean 'follow', it can refer to following a path, a sequence, or someone's lead. For example: follow the instructions「指示に従う」(しじにしたがう). The verb can also imply following a natural course or logic, such as in: the river follows the valley「川は谷に従って流れる」(かわはたににしたがってながれる).

    Radical

    彳

    Stroke Count

    10

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    6

    Frequency

    466

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 従

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 3 parts:

    radical

    龰

    Meaning

    Stop

    radical

    彳

    Meaning

    Stop

    radical

    䒑

    Meaning

    Herbs

従 As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of one other kanji:

    kanji

    縦

    Meaning

    Vertical

Words Using 従

This kanji is used in 5 words:

    word

    従業員

    Meaning

    Employee

    word

    従来

    Meaning

    Tradition

    word

    従事

    Meaning

    Engagement

    word

    従業

    Meaning

    Employment

    word

    従う

    Meaning

    Follow, Obey

Kanji Related to 従 Through the Part 龰

These 2 kanji contain the part 龰 as well.

    kanji

    走

    Meaning

    Run

    kanji

    足

    Meaning

    Foot, Sufficient

Kanji Related to 従 Through the Part 彳

These 19 kanji contain the part 彳 as well.

    kanji

    彼

    Meaning

    Third person pronoun, He

    kanji

    徐

    Meaning

    Slowly, Gradually

    kanji

    行

    Meaning

    Go

    kanji

    待

    Meaning

    Wait

    kanji

    徴

    Meaning

    Levy, Symptom

    kanji

    役

    Meaning

    Duty

    kanji

    徒

    Meaning

    Follower, Junior

    kanji

    徳

    Meaning

    Virtue

    kanji

    後

    Meaning

    After, Behind

    kanji

    復

    Meaning

    Restore

    kanji

    径

    Meaning

    Path, Diameter

    kanji

    得

    Meaning

    Acquire

    kanji

    律

    Meaning

    Law, Rhythm

    kanji

    徹

    Meaning

    Penetrate, Go through

    kanji

    征

    Meaning

    Subjugate

    kanji

    循

    Meaning

    Circulate, Sequential

    kanji

    微

    Meaning

    Slight, Delicate

    kanji

    御

    Meaning

    Honorable, General honorific term

    kanji

    往

    Meaning

    Journey, Go on

Kanji Related to 従 Through the Part 䒑

These 7 kanji contain the part 䒑 as well.

    kanji

    立

    Meaning

    Stand

    kanji

    豆

    Meaning

    Beans

    kanji

    業

    Meaning

    Business

    kanji

    岡

    Meaning

    Hill

    kanji

    前

    Meaning

    Before, Front

    kanji

    首

    Meaning

    Neck

    kanji

    並

    Meaning

    Line, Row

Learn the Kanji 従

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 従 mean?

従 means 'Follow' and 'Obey'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Sixth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N1 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.