宙
宙·space, mid-air
- On-yomi
- チュウ
- Kun-yomi
- none
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 宇宙 | うちゅう | space, the universe |
| 宙に浮く | ちゅうにうく | to float in mid-air; to be left unsettled |
| 宙返り | ちゅうがえり | somersault |
| 宙吊り | ちゅうづり | suspended in mid-air |
Example sentences
ボールが宙を飛んでいった。
ぼーるがちゅうをとんでいった。
The ball flew through the air.
計画は宙に浮いたままだ。
けいかくはちゅうにういたままだ。
The plan is still left up in the air.
選手が宙返りを見せてくれた。
せんしゅがちゅうがえりをみせてくれた。
The athlete showed us a somersault.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 宙返り as *ちゅうかえり — it voices to ちゅうがえり
- Using 宙 alone for outer space — that is 宇宙; 宙 alone is the air just above the ground
Memory aid
Picture it
A roof (宀) over a field (由) — the open space held between roof and ground.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 宙 mean?