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Kotomora

武

warrior, military, chivalry, arms

JLPTN2StatusJōyō · grade 5FrequencyTop 500Strokes8

Readings

On'yomi

  • ブ
  • ム

Kun'yomi

  • たけ
  • たけ.し

Nanori

  • う
  • お
  • たけし
  • たけん
  • ん

Meaning

武 centers on martial strength and the warrior ideal: military affairs, arms, and the chivalric code that governs their use.

Most common words using 武

20 of 248
  • 武器ぶき
    N2

    weapon; arms; ordnance

  • 武装ぶそう
    N1

    arms; armament; taking up arms; arming oneself

  • 武ぶ

    the art of war; martial arts; military arts

  • 西武せいぶ

    Seibu

  • 武将ぶしょう

    military commander

  • 武蔵むさし

    Musashi (former province located in parts of present-day Tokyo, Kanagawa and Saitama prefectures)

  • 武士ぶし
    N2

    samurai; warrior

  • 武力ぶりょく
    N1

    armed might; military power; the sword; force

  • 武したけし

    brave; courageous; valiant; fierce

  • 武道ぶどう
    N1

    martial arts; military arts; Bushido

  • 武道館ぶどうかん

    martial arts stadium

  • 武者むしゃ

    warrior

  • 武術ぶじゅつ

    martial arts; military arts

  • 武家ぶけ

    samurai family; samurai class; samurai stock

  • 武闘ぶとう

    armed struggle

  • 佞武多ねぶた

    Nebuta; nighttime festival in Tōhoku (esp. Aomori)

  • 影武者かげむしゃ

    body double; double

  • 武蔵野線むさしのせん

    Musashino Line

  • 我武者羅がむしゃら

    reckless; daredevil; frantic; foolhardy

  • 神武じんむ

    Emperor Jimmu; legendary founding Emperor of Japan

Explore all words using 武 →

Study

Etymology

武 combines 止 (stop) and 弋 (a weapon), traditionally interpreted as stopping weapons to achieve peace, reflecting the ideal of martial virtue.

Meaning mnemonic

A warrior stops (止) a spear (弋) with skill and honor, embodying military chivalry.

Reading mnemonic

For ブ, imagine a warrior striking a martial pose and shouting 'Boo!' to intimidate the enemy: Boo -> ブ.