ゆかり

also: しょえん

ゆ

か

り

Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

noun

connection; relation; affinity

usually written using kana alone

Refers to a meaningful connection or tie to a person, place, or thing, often with a sense of shared history or fate. Commonly used in phrases like ゆかりの地 (a place with personal or historical ties).

ここは祖そ母ぼゆかりの土と地ちです。
This is a place with ties to my grandmother.
彼かれとは何なんのゆかりもない。
I have no connection whatsoever with him.

See all 16 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

〈場ば所しょ〉にゆかりがあるto have a connection to a place
この寺てらは徳とく川がわ家けにゆかりがある。
This temple has a historical connection to the Tokugawa family.
〈人ひと〉にゆかりの〈物もの〉an item/place associated with a particular person
彼かれは京きょう都とにゆかりの画が家かだ。
He is a painter with ties to Kyoto.
ゆかりの地ちを訪おとずれるto visit a place with personal or historical ties
作さっ家かのゆかりの地ちを訪おとずれるツアーに参さん加かした。
I joined a tour that visits places connected to the author.

Kanji

縁affinity, relation, connection
所place, extent

Related words

縁えんN2
縁 (えん) also means connection or fate, but is more commonly used in everyday speech and can refer to broader karmic ties, while ゆかり often emphasizes a specific historical or personal link.
関かん係けいN4
関係 is a general term for relationship or connection, often neutral or formal, whereas ゆかり carries a nuance of cherished or fateful association.

Opposites

無む縁えんN1
無縁 means having no connection or relation to something, the direct opposite of the meaningful tie expressed by ゆかり.

Word family

縁ゆかりの色いろ
violet (color)

Written forms

ゆかりUsage98%
Usually written in kana; the kanji spelling 縁 is also used but less common.
所縁Usage2%
- ゆかり
  Rare kanji spelling; also read しょえん.
- しょえん
  Rare reading of 所縁; same meaning as ゆかり.
縁ゆかり
Kanji spelling; can be confused with 縁 (えん, ふち, etc.).
しょえん

Etymology

The exact derivation is uncertain; the word is native Japanese and has been used since classical times to denote a meaningful connection or association.