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Kotomora

有

possess, have, exist, happen, occur, approx

JLPTN4StatusJōyō · grade 3FrequencyTop 500Strokes6

Readings

On'yomi

  • ユウ
  • ウ

Kun'yomi

  • あ.る

Nanori

  • あ
  • あら
  • あり
  • ある

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

Explore all words using 有 →

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.