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Kotomora

忠

loyalty, fidelity, faithfulness

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · grade 6FrequencyTop 2,000Strokes8

Readings

On'yomi

  • チュウ

Kun'yomi

—

Nanori

  • きよし
  • たた
  • ただ
  • ただし
  • なお

Meaning

忠 centers on steadfast devotion: loyalty, fidelity, and faithfulness to a person, cause, or duty.

Most common words using 忠

20 of 62
  • 忠実ちゅうじつ
    N2

    faithful; devoted; loyal; honest; true

  • 忠実まめ
    N1

    diligent; hardworking; conscientious

  • 忠誠ちゅうせい

    loyalty; sincerity; allegiance; fidelity; integrity

  • 忠ちゅう

    loyalty; devotion; fidelity; faithfulness

  • 忠告ちゅうこく
    N2

    advice; warning

  • 忠義ちゅうぎ

    loyalty; devotion

  • 忠臣蔵ちゅうしんぐら

    (story of the) Forty-seven Rōnin; the Treasury of Loyal Retainers; Chūshingura

  • 忠信ちゅうしん

    faithfulness; devotion

  • 忠臣ちゅうしん

    loyal retainer; loyal subject

  • 伊藤忠商事いとうちゅうしょうじ

    Itochu Corporation

  • 不忠ふちゅう

    disloyalty; infidelity

  • 忠孝ちゅうこう

    loyalty and filial piety

  • 忠節ちゅうせつ

    loyalty; allegiance; fidelity

  • 忠魂ちゅうこん

    loyalty; the loyal dead

  • 忠犬ちゅうけん

    faithful dog

  • 不忠実ふちゅうじつ

    disloyalty; unfaithfulness

  • 不忠者ふちゅうもの

    disloyal person

  • 仁義忠孝じんぎちゅうこう

    humanity, justice, loyalty, and filial piety

  • 伊藤忠テクノサイエンスいとうちゅうテクノサイエンス

    Itochu Techno-Science Corporation

  • 伊藤忠燃料いとうちゅうねんりょう

    Itochu Fuel Corporation

Explore all words using 忠 →

Study

Etymology

忠 combines 中 (center, middle) with 心 (heart), suggesting a heart that stays centered and true. The character likely expresses loyalty through the idea of a balanced, unwavering heart.

Meaning mnemonic

A heart 心 that stays centered 中 is a loyal heart. Picture a devoted follower whose heart never wavers from the center of their commitment.

Reading mnemonic

For チュウ, imagine a loyal friend named Chu who always stands by you: Chu -> チュウ, and his heart is always centered on helping you.