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道Nihongo Path
遊

遊·play

On-yomi
ユウ
Kun-yomi
あそぶ

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
遊ぶあそぶto play, to hang out
遊びあそびplay, fun, a visit
遊園地ゆうえんちamusement park
水遊びみずあそびplaying in the water

Example sentences

  1. 子どもたちが公園で遊んでいます。

    こどもたちがこうえんであそんでいます。

    The children are playing in the park.

  2. 今度の休みに遊びに来ませんか。

    こんどのやすみにあそびにきませんか。

    Why don't you come over during the next holiday?

  3. 日曜日に家族で遊園地へ行きました。

    にちようびにかぞくでゆうえんちへいきました。

    On Sunday we went to an amusement park as a family.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 遊びに行く means to go and visit / hang out — adults use it too, it is not only children's play
  • Reading 遊園地 as ゆうえんじ

Memory aid

Picture it

The road radical 辶 with a child carrying a banner — heading out and about to have fun.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 遊 mean?