Nihongo

Kanji Detail of 遊

Level:N3 High
Strokes:12
Stroke Order
Related Words
AI Explanation
Basic Meaning

The kanji primarily conveys the idea of "play," "leisure," "recreation," or "to wander." It implies activities done for enjoyment, fun, and relaxation, or aimless movement and exploration. It encompasses both physical activities and mental states related to having a good time.

Readings

・On-yomi (音読み): ユウ (yuu) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): あそ(ぶ) (aso(bu))

Usage Examples

⚫︎遊園地 Translation: amusement park ⚫︎遊ぶ Translation: to play; to have fun ⚫︎遊泳 Translation: swimming

Origin and Formation

The kanji is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字, keisei moji). The left side is a radical called しんにょう (shinnyou), which is related to movement or going. The right side is 𧮧, which depicts a child. Together, they suggest a child "going" or "moving" freely, therefore "playing". This character, evolving over time, came to represent various forms of leisure and amusement.

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