遊
play
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
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.