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Kotomora

遊

play

JLPTN3StatusJōyō · grade 3FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes12

Readings

On'yomi

  • ユウ
  • ユ

Kun'yomi

  • あそ.ぶ
  • あそ.ばす

Nanori

  • あす
  • う

Meaning

遊 centers on playful, free movement: engaging in recreation, enjoying oneself, or moving about without a fixed purpose.

Most common words using 遊

20 of 273
  • 遊ぶあそぶ
    N5

    to play (games, sports); to enjoy oneself; to have a good time

  • 遊びあそび
    N4

    play; playing; game

  • 遊戯ゆうぎ

    play; playing; game

  • 遊園ゆうえん

    playground (for children); park

  • 浮遊ふゆう

    floating; drifting; suspension

  • 遊具ゆうぐ

    play equipment; playground equipment

  • 遊び場あそびば

    playground; play space

  • 夜遊びよあそび

    nightlife; night amusements

  • 遊歩道ゆうほどう

    promenade; esplanade

  • 遊び心あそびごころ

    playfulness; playful mood

  • 周遊しゅうゆう

    (circular) tour; round trip; excursion

  • 回遊かいゆう

    excursion; round trip

  • 遊撃ゆうげき

    raid; military attack by a mobile unit; hit-and-run attack; search-and-kill mission; search-and-destroy mission; military action without a predetermined target; attacking the enemy or assisting allies as the opportunity arises

  • 遊星ゆうせい

    planet

  • 遊技ゆうぎ

    game; sport

  • 遊女ゆうじょ

    prostitute; harlot

  • 火遊びひあそび

    playing with fire

  • 遊泳ゆうえい

    swimming; bathing

  • 遊覧ゆうらん

    sightseeing

  • 外遊がいゆう

    foreign travel

Explore all words using 遊 →

Study

Etymology

遊 combines 辶 (movement) with 斿, which likely contributes both sound and the idea of drifting or wandering. The overall sense is moving about freely or for enjoyment.

Meaning mnemonic

The movement radical 辶 wraps around 斿, which looks like a child 子 with a banner 方. Picture a child waving a banner while running around freely: that's play.

Reading mnemonic

For ユウ, imagine a child shouting 'you!' while playing tag: 'you' -> ユウ, and the child runs freely with the banner.