庸
庸·commonplace, ordinary, employment
- On-yomi
- ヨウ
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 凡庸 | ぼんよう | mediocre; commonplace |
| 中庸 | ちゅうよう | the middle way; moderation |
| 庸才 | ようさい | mediocre ability |
Example sentences
彼の作品は凡庸で印象に残らない。
かれのさくひんはぼんようでいんしょうにのこらない。
His work is mediocre and leaves no impression.
何事も中庸が大切だ。
なにごともちゅうようがたいせつだ。
Moderation matters in everything.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
- 庸傭傭 (傭兵, mercenary) is 庸 with the person radical 亻.
- 庸唐唐 (から, Tang) has a similar 广 top but 口 below.
Common mistakes
- 凡庸 is a criticism — dull and unremarkable, not simply 'average'
- 庸 is rare outside 凡庸 and 中庸
Memory aid
Picture it
Shelter 广 over 用 (use): something kept merely because it is serviceable — ordinary.
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 庸 mean?