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Kotomora

竜

dragon, imperial

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes10

Readings

On'yomi

  • リュウ
  • リョウ
  • ロウ

Kun'yomi

  • たつ
  • いせ

Nanori

  • りう

Meaning

竜 centers on the mythical dragon, a powerful and majestic creature. The imperial sense extends naturally from the dragon's traditional association with sovereignty and authority.

Most common words using 竜

20 of 139
  • 竜りゅう

    dragon (esp. a Chinese dragon)

  • 恐竜きょうりゅう

    dinosaur

  • 竜巻たつまき
    N1

    tornado; whirlwind; waterspout; twister

  • 竜王りゅうおう

    Dragon King

  • 土竜もぐら

    mole (Talpidae spp., esp. the small Japanese mole, Mogera imaizumii)

  • 竜神りゅうじん

    dragon god; dragon king

  • 竜馬りゅうめ

    splendid horse

  • 天竜てんりゅう

    deva and naga

  • 雨竜あまりょう

    rain dragon; mythical beast with yellowish green skin and red tail

  • 登竜門とうりゅうもん

    gateway to success

  • 昇竜しょうりゅう

    rising dragon; great dash

  • 竜胆りんどう

    gentian (Gentiana scabra var. buergeri); autumn bellflower

  • 竜宮りゅうぐう

    Palace of the Dragon King; palace from the story of Urashima Tarō (said to be located at the bottom of the sea)

  • 竜の落とし子たつのおとしご

    seahorse; sea horse

  • 竜頭りゅうず

    crown (of a watch); stem

  • 独眼竜どくがんりゅう

    one-eyed hero

  • 竜骨りゅうこつ

    keel (of a ship)

  • 竜舌蘭りゅうぜつらん

    agave; maguey

  • 竜宮の使いりゅうぐうのつかい

    king of herrings (Regalecus glesne); oarfish; ribbonfish

  • 九頭竜くずりゅう

    nine-headed dragon

Explore all words using 竜 →

Study

Etymology

竜 is a simplified form of 龍, the traditional dragon character. The older form is a pictograph of a dragon with a head, body, and tail. The modern 竜 retains the top 立 and a stylized lower body with 田 and a tail stroke.

Meaning mnemonic

The top 立 looks like a dragon's crest or horns, and the lower part with 田 and a curved tail suggests its scaly body. Together, 竜 is a dragon, a symbol of imperial power.

Reading mnemonic

For リュウ, imagine a dragon named Ryu breathing fire: Ryu -> リュウ, the dragon's roar echoing through the imperial palace.