唯
solely, only, merely, simply
Readings
On'yomi
- ユイ
- イ
Kun'yomi
- ただ
Nanori
- ゆ
Meaning
唯 centers on singling out one thing to the exclusion of others: solely, only, merely, or simply. It emphasizes that nothing else is involved.
Most common words using 唯
20 of 37- 唯一ゆいいつN3
only; sole; unique
- 唯物ゆいぶつ
materialism
- 唯我独尊ゆいがどくそん
throughout heaven and earth, I alone am the honored one
- 唯々いい
obedient; submissive; tame; slavish
- 唯識ゆいしき
vijnapti-matrata (theory that all existence is subjective and nothing exists outside of the mind)
- 唯物論ゆいぶつろん
materialism
- 史上唯一しじょうゆいいつ
the first in history; only once in history
- 史的唯物論してきゆいぶつろん
historical materialism
- 吾唯足知われただたるをしる
I am content with what I am (have); rich is the person who is content with what he is
- 唯々諾々いいだくだく
obedient; submissive; tame; slavish
- 唯々諾々としていいだくだくとして
obediently; submissively; readily; slavishly; without protest
- 唯さえたださえ
even at the best of times; already; (even) under normal circumstances; in addition to; as it is
- 唯でさえただでさえ
even at the best of times; already; (even) under normal circumstances; in addition to; as it is
- 唯にただに
merely; only; simply
- 唯一不二ゆいいつふじ
one and only; unique
- 唯一無二ゆいいつむに
one and only; unique
- 唯一無比ゆいいつむひ
one and only; unique
- 唯一神ゆいいつしん
God (in monotheism)
- 唯一神教ゆいいつしんきょう
monotheism
- 唯名論ゆいめいろん
nominalism
Study
Etymology
唯 combines 口 (mouth) with 隹, which likely contributes the sound. The character originally expressed a responsive or affirmative utterance, later extending to the idea of singling out or exclusivity.
Meaning mnemonic
A mouth 口 beside a short-tailed bird 隹: imagine a bird that can only chirp one note, solely that sound and nothing else.
Reading mnemonic
For ユイ, picture a unique bird that sings only one note: unique -> ユイ, and that sole note is all you hear.