有
possess, have, exist, happen, occur, approx
Readings
On'yomi
- ユウ
- ウ
Kun'yomi
- あ.る
Nanori
- あ
- あら
- あり
- ある
- くに
- なお
- ゆ
Meaning
有 centers on the idea of something being present or held: possessing, having, existing, or an event happening. The 'approx' sense is a natural extension of something being 'there' in a rough sense.
Most common words using 有
24 of 667- 有るあるN5
to be; to exist; to live
- 有難うありがとうN4
thank you; thanks
- 有名ゆうめいN5
famous; well-known
- 所有しょゆうN1
possession; ownership
- 有効ゆうこうN2
valid; effective
- 共有きょうゆうN1
joint ownership; co-ownership; sharing (e.g. a viewpoint)
- 有難いありがたいN2
grateful; thankful; welcome; appreciated; evoking gratitude
- 有ゆうN1
existence
- 有料ゆうりょうN3
fee-charging; paid; not free
- 有するゆうするN1
to have; to possess; to own; to be endowed with
- 有利ゆうりN3
advantageous; favourable; better; stronger
- 保有ほゆう
possession; retention; maintenance; holding; keeping
- 有名人ゆうめいじんN2
celebrity; famous person; public figure; big name
- 特有とくゆうN1
characteristic (of); peculiar (to)
- 有機ゆうきN1
organic
- 有無うむN2
existence or nonexistence; presence or absence
- 有力ゆうりょくN2
influential; prominent; leading
- 有能ゆうのうN3
able; capable; competent; talented; efficient
- 有害ゆうがいN2
harmful; hazardous
- 有罪ゆうざいN1
guilt; culpability
- 国有こくゆうN1
national ownership; state ownership; government ownership
- 有用ゆうよう
useful; helpful
- 有限ゆうげんN1
finite; limited
- 有益ゆうえきN1
beneficial; profitable; useful; helpful; instructive
Study
Etymology
有 originally combined a hand-like shape (now ナ) with 月 (meat/flesh), suggesting holding meat, hence possession or existence. The modern form retains the general structure.
Meaning mnemonic
The top part looks like a hand (ナ) holding a piece of meat (月). When you hold something, you possess it, and it exists with you.
Reading mnemonic
For ユウ, imagine you holding a piece of meat: 'you' -> ユウ, and you possess it.