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道Nihongo Path
湧

湧·well up, gush

On-yomi
ユウ
Kun-yomi
わ(く)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

12 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
湧くわくto well up, to gush
湧水ゆうすいspring water
湧き出るわきでるto gush out
湧出ゆうしゅつgushing forth (of water or oil)

Example sentences

  1. 岩の間から冷たい水が湧いている。

    いわのあいだからつめたいみずがわいている。

    Cold water is welling up between the rocks.

  2. 先生の言葉で勇気が湧いてきた。

    せんせいのことばでゆうきがわいてきた。

    My teacher's words gave me a surge of courage.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 湧く (to well up) with 沸く (to boil) — same reading わく
  • 湧く is used for feelings too: 興味が湧く, 勇気が湧く

Memory aid

Picture it

氵 (water) beside 勇 (courage): water with the nerve to push its way up out of the ground.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 湧 mean?