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What is the Kanji for 'Reason'? | 由

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

The Japanese Kanji for 'Reason' is 由.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Reason

    Reading

    kunyomiよし

    yoshi

    onyomiゆう

    yuu

    yu

    Parts

    Ten Mouth

    Example Word

    不自由: discomfort. The Japanese verbal noun '不自由 (ふじゆう)' primarily means 'discomfort' or 'inconvenience'. It refers to a state of being unable to do something freely or comfortably, often due to physical, mental, or situational constraints. This word is commonly used to describe a lack of freedom or difficulty in performing actions. For example: He feels discomfort due to his injury「彼はけがで不自由を感じている」(かれはけがでふじゆうをかんじている). Living without electricity is inconvenient「電気がない生活は不自由だ」(でんきがないせいかつはふじゆうだ). The word can also imply a sense of dependency or limitation, such as in the phrase '不自由な体 (ふじゆうなからだ)', meaning 'a body with disabilities'.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    5

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    3

    Frequency

    278

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ten

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mouth

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of 9 other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Picture

    kanji

    Meaning

    Yellow

    kanji

    Meaning

    Oil

    kanji

    Meaning

    Report, Deliver

    kanji

    Meaning

    Pluck, Extract

    kanji

    Meaning

    Midair

    kanji

    Meaning

    Flute

    kanji

    Meaning

    Axle, Axis

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sleeve

Words Using

This kanji is used in 5 words:

    word

    理由

    Meaning

    Reason

    word

    自由

    Meaning

    Freedom, Liberty

    word

    経由

    Meaning

    Via

    word

    由来

    Meaning

    Origin

    word

    不自由

    Meaning

    Discomfort

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 31 kanji contain the part 十 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Thousand

    kanji

    Meaning

    Early, Fast

    kanji

    Meaning

    Tree, Wood

    kanji

    Meaning

    Soil

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rice field

    kanji

    Meaning

    Measure, Plan

    kanji

    Meaning

    Straight, Repair

    kanji

    Meaning

    Old

    kanji

    Meaning

    South

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cow

    kanji

    Meaning

    Noon

    kanji

    Meaning

    Branch, Support

    kanji

    Meaning

    Truth

    kanji

    Meaning

    Simple, Single

    kanji

    Meaning

    Graduate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hard, Spicy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cooperate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Command, Proportion

    kanji

    Meaning

    Follow, Semi

    kanji

    Meaning

    Listen

    kanji

    Meaning

    Virtue

    kanji

    Meaning

    Extensive, Doctor

    kanji

    Meaning

    Needle

    kanji

    Meaning

    Shield

    kanji

    Meaning

    Demolition, Break down

    kanji

    Meaning

    Search, Rope

    kanji

    Meaning

    Juice, Soup

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bosom, Pocket

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mean, Lowly

    kanji

    Meaning

    Umbrella, Parasol

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sho, Measuring box

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 102 kanji contain the part 口 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Four

    kanji

    Meaning

    Right

    kanji

    Meaning

    Center

    kanji

    Meaning

    Day, Sun

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rice field

    kanji

    Meaning

    Name

    kanji

    Meaning

    Eye

    kanji

    Meaning

    Foot, Sufficient

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stone

    kanji

    Meaning

    High, Expensive

    kanji

    Meaning

    Same

    kanji

    Meaning

    Older brother

    kanji

    Meaning

    Old

    kanji

    西

    Meaning

    West

    kanji

    Meaning

    Country

    kanji

    Meaning

    Garden

    kanji

    Meaning

    Valley

    kanji

    Meaning

    Capital

    kanji

    Meaning

    Say

    kanji

    Meaning

    Language, Word

    kanji

    Meaning

    Know

    kanji

    Meaning

    Chirp

    kanji

    Meaning

    Revolve, Times

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ship

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fit, Match

    kanji

    Meaning

    Pedestal, Machine

    kanji

    Meaning

    Member

    kanji

    Meaning

    Thing

    kanji

    Meaning

    Flavor

    kanji

    Meaning

    Question, Problem

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bundle, Bind

    kanji

    Meaning

    Peace

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cause

    kanji

    Meaning

    Join, Add

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rejoice

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bloom, Blossom

    kanji

    Meaning

    Invite, Call

    kanji

    Meaning

    Inhale, Suck

    kanji

    Meaning

    Possible

    kanji

    Meaning

    Number

    kanji

    Meaning

    Circumference

    kanji

    Meaning

    Beans

    kanji

    Meaning

    Phrase, Paragraph

    kanji

    Meaning

    Saint, Holy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Product

    kanji

    Meaning

    Announce

    kanji

    Meaning

    Each

    kanji

    Meaning

    Vessel

    kanji

    Meaning

    Harm

    kanji

    Meaning

    History

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ingest, Consume

    kanji

    Meaning

    Constitution

    kanji

    Meaning

    Center

    kanji

    Meaning

    Good, Virtuous

    kanji

    Meaning

    Lucky, Good luck

    kanji

    Meaning

    Command, Life

    kanji

    Meaning

    Surround

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fortune telling

    kanji

    Meaning

    Negate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Director

    kanji

    Meaning

    Warehouse

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sagacious, Philosophy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Contain, Include

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hoarse, Shout at

    kanji

    Meaning

    Shout

    kanji

    Meaning

    Spit, Spew

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sigh

    kanji

    Meaning

    Tongue

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ruler, You

    kanji

    Meaning

    Great man, Magnificent

    kanji

    Meaning

    Kidnap

    kanji

    Meaning

    Inquire

    kanji

    Meaning

    Yell, Call

    kanji

    Meaning

    Request, Entrust

    kanji

    Meaning

    Entice, Instigate

    kanji

    Meaning

    As, Likeness

    kanji

    Meaning

    Lips, Lip

    kanji

    Meaning

    Inn, Pavilion

    kanji

    Meaning

    Pity, Sorrow

    kanji

    Meaning

    Spout, Erupt

    kanji

    Meaning

    Only, Solely

    kanji

    Meaning

    Beast, Animal

    kanji

    Meaning

    Chant

    kanji

    Meaning

    Officer, Official

    kanji

    Meaning

    Display, Present

    kanji

    Meaning

    Seduce, Summon

    kanji

    Meaning

    Enlighten, State respectfully

    kanji

    Meaning

    Upbraid, Menacing

    kanji

    Meaning

    Empress

    kanji

    Meaning

    Tang dynasty

    kanji

    Meaning

    Loss, Mourn, Mourning

    kanji

    Meaning

    Heir

    kanji

    Meaning

    Curse

    kanji

    Meaning

    Throat

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bath

    kanji

    Meaning

    Nurse, Suckle

    kanji

    Meaning

    Smell, Sniff

    kanji

    Meaning

    Compare, Metaphor

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ridicule, Insult

    kanji

    Meaning

    Shamisen song

    kanji

    Meaning

    Windpipe

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sputum, Saliva

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 由 mean?

由 means 'Reason'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Third Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

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