吉
good luck, joy, congratulations
Readings
On'yomi
- キチ
- キツ
Kun'yomi
- よし
Nanori
- え
- き
- きっ
- きる
- こし
- と
- よ
Meaning
吉 centers on positive fortune and the happiness that comes with it: good luck, joy, and celebratory congratulations.
Most common words using 吉
20 of 56- 吉きち
good fortune (esp. omikuji fortune-telling result); good luck; auspiciousness
- 諭吉ゆきち
10,000 yen note
- 大吉だいきち
excellent luck (esp. in fortune-telling)
- 吉野家よしのや
Yoshinoya (gyudon restaurant chain)
- 不吉ふきつN1
ominous; sinister; unlucky; inauspicious
- 成吉思汗ジンギスかん
jingisukan; grilled mutton and vegetable dish
- 吉本興業よしもとこうぎょう
Yoshimoto Kogyo
- 染井吉野そめいよしの
Yoshino cherry (Prunus yedoensis)
- 小吉しょうきち
slightly good luck (esp. as an omikuji fortune-telling result)
- 吉報きっぽう
good news
- 末吉すえきち
good luck to come (esp. as an omikuji fortune-telling result); future good luck
- 吉備きび
Kibi (former province located in present-day Okayama and parts of Hiroshima, Hyōgo and Kagawa prefectures; later split into Bizen, Bitchu and Bingo provinces)
- 吉祥きっしょう
lucky omen; happy; auspicious
- 吉兆きっちょう
lucky omen; good omen
- 吉日きちじつ
lucky day; auspicious day
- 吉凶きっきょう
good or bad luck; fortune
- 吉書きっしょ
first calligraphy of the year
- 住吉会すみよしかい
Sumiyoshi-kai (yakuza syndicate)
- 中吉ちゅうきち
moderately good luck (in fortune-telling)
- 勿吉もっきつ
Mohe (one of the Tungusic-speaking tribes)
Study
Etymology
吉 combines 士 (scholar or warrior) and 口 (mouth), traditionally interpreted as a wise person's words bringing good fortune. The exact historical origin is debated, but the association with auspicious speech is well established.
Meaning mnemonic
A scholar (士) speaks (口) words of blessing and joy, bringing good luck and congratulations.
Reading mnemonic
For キチ, imagine a lucky key chain (キーチェーン) that brings good fortune: key chain -> キチ, and the scholar's words make it a lucky charm.