由

wherefore, a reason

JLPT N3 Grade 3 5 strokes

Kun'yomi: よし・よ.る
On'yomi: ユ・ユウ・ユイ
Radical: 田 · field (rice field)

由 means "wherefore, a reason". It is a JLPT N3 kanji written in 5 strokes. It is read よし・よ.る in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and ユ・ユウ・ユイ in compounds (on'yomi). Japanese schoolchildren learn it in grade 3.

由 in example sentences

理由りゆう聞きいてもいい？

Riyuu kiite mo ii?

Can I ask why?
理由りゆうを聞きいてもいい？

Riyuu o kiite mo ii?

May I ask why?
理由りゆうは聞きいちゃダメ。

Riyuu wa kiicha dame.

Don't ask me why.

Example sentences from the Tatoeba Project, licensed CC-BY 2.0 FR.

Stroke order & writing

Want more? Practice writing from memory. Stroke-order and animation sources are on our credits page.

Words that use 由

More 田 (field) kanji

Common questions

What does the kanji 由 mean?: 由 means "wherefore, a reason". It is a JLPT N3 kanji.
How many strokes does 由 have?: 由 is written in 5 strokes.
How is 由 read?: It is read よし・よ.る in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and ユ・ユウ・ユイ in compounds (on'yomi).
What JLPT level is 由?: 由 is a JLPT N3 kanji.

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