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御

御·honorable, manipulate, govern

On-yomi
ぎょご
Kun-yomi
おん-お-み-

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
御飯ごはんcooked rice, a meal
御礼おれいthanks, a gift of thanks
制御せいぎょcontrol, regulation
御中おんちゅうMessrs. (addressing a company)

Example sentences

  1. 毎朝、御飯とみそ汁を食べます。

    まいあさ、ごはんとみそしるをたべます。

    Every morning I eat rice and miso soup.

  2. 先生に御礼の手紙を書きました。

    せんせいにおれいのてがみをかきました。

    I wrote a thank-you letter to my teacher.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading the polite prefix 御 as ぎょ — before a word it is お or ご (御飯 = ごはん, 御礼 = おれい)
  • Reading 御中 as おんなか instead of おんちゅう

Memory aid

Picture it

彳 (going) plus a figure at the reins: the driver who handles the horses — the one in charge, hence the honorific prefix.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 御 mean?