義
義·righteousness, justice, meaning, sense, in-law, artificial
- On-yomi
- ギ
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 意義 | いぎ | significance, meaning |
| 義務 | ぎむ | duty, obligation |
| 主義 | しゅぎ | principle, -ism |
| 正義 | せいぎ | justice |
Example sentences
納税は国民の義務です。
のうぜいはこくみんのぎむです。
Paying taxes is a citizen's duty.
彼は正義感が強い人だ。
かれはせいぎかんがつよいひとだ。
He is a person with a strong sense of justice.
この調査には大きな意義がある。
このちょうさにはおおきないぎがある。
This survey has great significance.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Mixing 意義 (significance) with 意味 (meaning of a word) — 意義 is about worth, not definition
- Forgetting that 義 also marks in-laws: 義母 is a mother-in-law, not one's own mother
Memory aid
Picture it
羊 (sheep, the proper offering) over 我 (I): holding myself to what is proper — that is righteousness.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 義 mean?