雄
masculine, male, hero, leader, superiority, excellence
Readings
On'yomi
- ユウ
Kun'yomi
- お-
- おす
- おん
Nanori
- かつ
- たけ
- つよし
- ゆ
- よう
Meaning
雄 centers on the idea of masculine strength and prominence: a male, a hero, or a leader who stands out through superiority and excellence.
Most common words using 雄
20 of 98- 英雄えいゆうN2
hero; heroine; great person
- 雄おすN2
male (animal, plant)
- 雄大ゆうだいN1
grand; magnificent; majestic; great; sublime
- 雄叫びおたけび
roar; cry (esp. of triumph); battle cry; war cry
- 雄弁ゆうべん
eloquence; fluency (of speech)
- 雌雄しゆう
male and female (animals); the two sexes
- 雄志ゆうし
great ambition; lofty aspiration
- 群雄割拠ぐんゆうかっきょ
rivalry of local warlords; a number of powerful (talented, influential) persons standing by themselves in a given field
- 雄鶏おんどり
male bird
- 雄姿ゆうし
majestic figure; imposing figure; impressive appearance; magnificent appearance
- 雄々しいおおしい
manly; brave; heroic
- 雄しべおしべ
stamen
- 雄飛ゆうひ
launching out (e.g. into a career); embarking upon (something); doing with great ambition
- 雄花おばな
male flower; staminate flower
- 両雄りょうゆう
two great men
- 雄武ゆうぶ
bravery
- 群雄ぐんゆう
rival chiefs
- 一世の雄いっせいのゆう
greatest hero (mastermind) of the age
- 両雄並び立たずりょうゆうならびたたず
if two ride upon a horse, one must sit behind; when Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war; two great rivals cannot coexist
- 二強雄蕊にきょうゆうずい
didynamous stamen
Study
Etymology
雄 combines 厷 (a variant of 肱, meaning upper arm or strength) with 隹 (a short-tailed bird). The bird component likely contributes the sound, while the arm suggests masculine power or dominance. Together they convey the idea of a strong male or leader.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 厷 looks like a muscular arm, and the right side 隹 is a bird. Imagine a powerful male bird flexing its wing like a strong arm, showing off its masculine superiority and heroic leadership.
Reading mnemonic
For ユウ, picture a heroic male bird shouting 'You!' as it challenges others: 'You!' -> ユウ, and the bird's bold call shows its excellence.