熊
bear
Readings
On'yomi
- ユウ
Kun'yomi
- くま
Meaning
熊 centers on the animal bear, with no major abstract extensions.
Most common words using 熊
20 of 95- 熊本くまもと
Kumamoto (city, prefecture)
- 熊くまN2
bear (any mammal of family Ursidae)
- 白熊しろくま
polar bear (Ursus maritimus)
- 北極熊ほっきょくぐま
polar bear (Ursus maritimus)
- 小熊こぐま
small bear; bear cub
- 熊手くまで
rake; fork; bamboo rake
- 熊虫くまむし
tardigrade; water bear
- 月の輪熊つきのわぐま
Asian black bear (Selenarctos thibetanus); moon bear
- 穴熊あなぐま
badger
- 熊本大学くまもとだいがく
Kumamoto University
- 熊谷組くまがいぐみ
Kumagai Gumi
- アメリカ熊アメリカぐま
American black bear (Ursus americanus)
- アメリカ穴熊アメリカあなぐま
American badger (Taxidea taxus)
- アメリカ黒熊アメリカくろくま
American black bear (Ursus americanus)
- ヒマラヤ熊ヒマラヤぐま
Himalayan black bear (Ursus thibetanus); Asiatic black bear
- マレー熊マレーぐま
sun bear (Helarctos malayanus); Malayan bear
- 三つ熊みつぐま
mother bear with two cubs
- 子守熊こもりぐま
koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
- 小熊のプーさんこぐまのプーさん
Winnie the Pooh
- 小熊星しょうゆうせい
Little Bear; Ursa Minor
Study
Etymology
熊 is a phono-semantic compound: 能 (bear-like shape, also phonetic) combined with 灬 (fire), possibly emphasizing the animal's strength or fierceness. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 能 looks like a bear's body with claws, and the bottom 灬 suggests its fiery strength. Picture a powerful bear standing on its hind legs, ready to strike.
Reading mnemonic
For ユウ, imagine a bear letting out a deep 'youuu' growl as it stands tall: you -> ユウ.