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Kotomora

宥

soothe, calm, pacify

JLPTN1StatusJinmeiyōStrokes9

Readings

On'yomi

  • ユウ

Kun'yomi

  • なだ.める
  • ゆる.す

Meaning

宥 centers on easing tension or harshness: soothing agitation, calming anger, or pacifying conflict. It also extends to forgiving or letting go of a grievance.

Most common words using 宥

  • 宥めるなだめる
    N1

    to soothe; to calm; to pacify

  • 宥和ゆうわ

    appeasement; placation; propitiation

  • 宥めすかすなだめすかす

    to soothe and humor; to coax

  • 宥和政策ゆうわせいさく

    appeasement policy; policy of appeasement

  • 宥恕ゆうじょ

    forgiveness; generosity

  • 贖宥しょくゆう

    indulgence (in the Catholic Church)

  • 贖宥状しょくゆうじょう

    indulgence (religious)

Explore all words using 宥 →

Study

Etymology

宥 combines 宀 (roof, building) with 有 (exist, have). The roof likely suggests shelter or containment, while 有 may contribute the sound and the idea of having or holding, together expressing the act of sheltering or holding back anger to soothe or forgive.

Meaning mnemonic

Under a roof 宀, you have 有 a calm space where anger is held back and soothed. Picture someone being pacified inside a quiet room.

Reading mnemonic

For ユウ, imagine soothing someone by saying 'you' in a gentle voice: 'you' -> ユウ, and your calm tone pacifies them under the roof.