憂
憂·grief, worry
- On-yomi
- ユウ
- Kun-yomi
- うれ(える)うれ(い)う(い)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 憂鬱 | ゆううつ | gloom, depression |
| 憂慮 | ゆうりょ | concern, anxiety |
| 憂い | うれい | grief, anxiety |
| 憂える | うれえる | to grieve over, worry about |
Example sentences
国の将来を憂える声が多い。
くにのしょうらいをうれえるこえがおおい。
Many voices are worried about the country's future.
会社は経営状態を憂慮している。
かいしゃはけいえいじょうたいをゆうりょしている。
The company is concerned about its financial condition.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 憂鬱 as ゆうくつ — it is ゆううつ.
- 憂 has several kun readings; 憂い is うれい, but 憂き目 uses うき.
Memory aid
Picture it
A heavy head on top, a heart 心 in the middle, dragging feet below — worry so heavy the head sinks and the feet slow.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 憂 mean?