救
salvation, save, help, rescue, reclaim
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
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.