揺
揺·sway, shake, swing
- On-yomi
- ヨウ
- Kun-yomi
- ゆ(れる)ゆ(らぐ)ゆ(する)ゆ(さぶる)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 揺れる | ゆれる | to shake, to sway |
| 動揺 | どうよう | agitation, being shaken (emotionally) |
| 揺さぶる | ゆさぶる | to shake hard, to rock |
| 揺らぐ | ゆらぐ | to waver, to become unsteady |
Example sentences
地震で建物が大きく揺れた。
じしんでたてものがおおきくゆれた。
The building shook violently in the earthquake.
その知らせに彼は動揺した。
そのしらせにかれはどうようした。
He was shaken by the news.
強い風で木の枝が揺らいでいる。
つよいかぜできのえだがゆらいでいる。
The branches are wavering in the strong wind.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
- 揺謡謡 (song, ballad) shares the right side but takes 言; 揺 takes the hand 扌.
- 揺遥遥 (far off) puts the same right side on the road radical 辶.
Common mistakes
- 揺れる is intransitive (it shakes) and 揺らす/揺さぶる transitive (you shake it)
- 動揺 is usually about being emotionally shaken, not physical shaking
Memory aid
Picture it
扌 (hand) beside a jar being rocked: a hand tipping something back and forth.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 揺 mean?