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Kotomora

熊

bear

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · grade 4FrequencyTop 2,000Strokes14

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

Explore all words using 熊 →

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.