以
以·by means of, from (a point)
- On-yomi
- イ
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 以上 | いじょう | more than, that is all |
| 以下 | いか | less than, below |
| 以外 | いがい | except, other than |
| 以内 | いない | within |
Example sentences
二十歳以上の人だけ入れます。
はたちいじょうのひとだけはいれます。
Only people aged twenty and over may enter.
日曜日以外は毎日学校へ行きます。
にちようびいがいはまいにちがっこうへいきます。
I go to school every day except Sunday.
一時間以内に終わると思います。
いちじかんいないにおわるとおもいます。
I think it will be finished within an hour.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting that 以上 and 以下 include the number itself — 十以上 means ten or more.
- Mixing 以外(いがい, except) with 意外(いがい, unexpected) — identical sound, different kanji.
Memory aid
Picture it
Two small parts handing something across to a person on the right — a starting point you measure from.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 以上いじょうmore than, above; that is all
- 以下いかless than, below
- 以内いないwithin
- 以外いがいexcept, other than
- 以前いぜんbefore, formerly
- 以来いらいsince
- 以降いこうafter, from ... on
- 以後いごafter this, from now on, hereafter; after (a given time)
- 以心伝心いしんでんしんtacit understanding, telepathy
- 以上のことからいじょうのことからfrom the above
- 以てもってwith; by; by means of; because of; as of (a date)
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 2 of 5
What does the kanji 以 mean?