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Kotomora

救

salvation, save, help, rescue, reclaim

JLPTN2StatusJōyō · grade 5FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes11

Readings

On'yomi

  • キュウ

Kun'yomi

  • すく.う

Meaning

救 centers on pulling someone or something out of danger or difficulty: saving, rescuing, or helping. The idea of reclaiming extends this to restoring what was lost or in trouble.

Most common words using 救

20 of 120
  • 救うすくう
    N3

    to rescue (someone); to save; to help (out of a difficulty); to relieve (from)

  • 救急きゅうきゅう

    first-aid; emergency (aid)

  • 救助きゅうじょ
    N3

    relief; aid; rescue

  • 救いすくい
    N1

    help; rescue; aid; relief

  • 救出きゅうしゅつ

    rescue; extricate; reclaim; deliverance

  • 救済きゅうさい
    N2

    relief; aid; help; rescue

  • 救命きゅうめい

    lifesaving

  • 救援きゅうえん
    N1

    relief; rescue

  • 救世主きゅうせいしゅ

    saviour; savior; messiah

  • 救難きゅうなん

    rescue; salvage

  • 救護きゅうご

    relief; aid

  • 救世きゅうせい

    salvation

  • 救い出すすくいだす

    to rescue; to free

  • 救い主すくいぬし

    savior; saviour; rescuer; messiah

  • 救命胴衣きゅうめいどうい

    life jacket; life vest

  • 救国きゅうこく

    salvation of one's country

  • 救護班きゅうごはん

    relief squad; rescue party

  • 救貧きゅうひん

    poor relief

  • 救急車きゅうきゅうしゃ
    N4

    ambulance

  • 救世軍きゅうせいぐん

    Salvation Army

Explore all words using 救 →

Study

Etymology

救 combines 求 (seek, request) with 攵 (action hand), suggesting the act of reaching out to help or save someone in need.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 求 looks like a person reaching out for help, and the right side 攵 is a hand taking action. Together they show a hand reaching out to save someone.

Reading mnemonic

For キュウ, imagine a rescue team shouting 'Cue you!' as they pull someone to safety: cue you -> キュウ, and the hand 攵 reaches out to save.