右
right
Readings
On'yomi
- ウ
- ユウ
Kun'yomi
- みぎ
Nanori
- あき
- すけ
Meaning
右 centers on the direction right, as opposed to left. It is a basic spatial concept used for orientation and positioning.
Most common words using 右
20 of 151- 右みぎN5
right; right-hand side
- 左右さゆうN3
left and right; right and left
- 右手みぎてN1
right hand
- 右側みぎがわN4
right side; right-hand side
- 右翼うよくN1
right wing
- 右腕みぎうで
right arm
- 右肩みぎかた
right shoulder
- 右足みぎあし
right foot
- 右折うせつ
turning to the right; right turn
- 右派うは
right wing
- 極右きょくう
far right (in politics); extreme right; ultraright
- 右目みぎめ
right eye
- 右端みぎはし
right end; right edge
- 右舷うげん
starboard
- 右脳うのう
right brain
- 座右の銘ざゆうのめい
favourite motto; pet saying
- 右往左往うおうさおうN1
moving about in confusion; going every which way; going this way and that
- 右傾うけい
leaning to the right
- 右岸うがん
right bank (of a river)
- 右前みぎまえ
front right; front and right; before and right
Study
Etymology
右 originally depicted a right hand, with the modern form combining ノ and 一 (representing the hand) and 口 (possibly a distinguishing mark or a mouth). The exact historical development is uncertain, but the character has long been associated with the right side.
Meaning mnemonic
The top-left strokes suggest a hand, and the 口 below can be seen as a mouth. Imagine a right-handed person eating with their right hand: 右 is right.
Reading mnemonic
For ウ, picture a right-handed person saying 'Ooh!' as they use their right hand to pick something up: Ooh -> ウ.