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Kotomora

右

right

JLPTN5StatusJōyō · grade 1FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes5

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

Explore all words using 右 →

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.