JLPT N3 · 5 strokes
Kanji 由: "wherefore, a reason"
The kanji 由 means "wherefore, a reason". It is written with 5 strokes and belongs to JLPT level N3, read ユ, ユウ, ユイ in on'yomi and よし, よ.る in kun'yomi.
Stroke order
Strokes are written in the order of the numbers. The order is not decorative: it is what gives the character its balance, and it is also how handwriting search works in Japanese dictionaries.
Readings
On'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading)
ユユウユイ
Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading)
よしよ.る
In a kun'yomi reading, the dot separates the kanji from its okurigana: かた.る is read かたる and written 語る. A hyphen marks a bound position, like -び in 日.
At a glance
| Meaning | wherefore, a reason |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 5 |
| JLPT level | N3 |
| Taught in Japan | grade 3 |
| Frequency rank | 325 of 2,501 |
Common words with 由
The most frequent words using this kanji, most common first, with furigana readings. Click one to open it in the reader.
- 理由reason; grounds; pretext; excuse
- 自由freedom; liberty
- 不自由discomfort; inconvenience · poverty; want; destitution; lack
- 由来origin; source; history; derivation · originally; from the start; by nature
- 経由going through; going via; going by way of
- 由reason; significance; cause · piece of information that one has heard; I hear that ...; it is said that ...
- 自由にfreely; at liberty; at will; as one likes
- 自由自在free; unrestricted; (with) complete mastery; completely in control
- 理由をつけるto give a reason
- 由緒history; pedigree; lineage
- 知る由もないhaving no way of knowing; being completely ignorant of
- 自由時間free time; time at leisure
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