尤
reasonable, just, natural, superb, outstanding, plausible
Readings
On'yomi
- ユウ
Kun'yomi
- もっと.も
- とが.める
Meaning
尤 centers on something that stands out as exceptionally right or fitting: reasonable, just, natural, and by extension superb or outstanding. The idea of being plausible follows from this sense of natural rightness.
Most common words using 尤
- 尤ゆう
superb; outstanding
- 尤もらしいもっともらしいN1
plausible; believable
- 対数尤度たいすうゆうど
log-likelihood
- 尤なるゆうなる
superb; outstanding
- 尤度ゆうど
likelihood
- 尤度比ゆうどひ
likelihood ratio
- 尤度比検定ゆうどひけんてい
likelihood ratio test
- 尤度関数ゆうどかんすう
likelihood function
- 尤物ゆうぶつ
something superior
- 御尤もごもっとも
you are quite right
- 最尤法さいゆうほう
maximum-likelihood estimation; maximum likelihood method
- 蚩尤しゆう
Chiyou (Chinese god of war)
Study
Etymology
尤 is thought to originate from a pictograph of a hand with an extra mark, suggesting something exceptional or outstanding. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the modern form retains the idea of something that stands out.
Meaning mnemonic
The shape 尤 looks like a person 尢 with an extra dot 丶 on top, like a mark of distinction. Picture someone marked as outstanding, making them the most reasonable and natural choice.
Reading mnemonic
For ユウ, imagine a judge saying 'you' are the most reasonable candidate: you -> ユウ, and your outstanding quality makes you the natural choice.