義

音読おんよみ:

訓読くんよみ: none *

画数かくすう: 13 strokes

部首ぶしゅ: 羊(ひつじ)

Meaning

Justice, righteousness, morality, duty, honor. Used in concepts like loyalty, noble cause, or moral obligation.


  • 正義せいぎ — justice
  • 義務ぎむ — duty, obligation
  • 義理ぎり — obligation, social duty
  • 義兄ぎけい — brother-in-law
  • 義勇ぎゆう — loyalty, bravery for justice
  • 講義こうぎ — lecture

This kanji combines 羊 (sheep) and 我 (I, weapon form), suggesting a moral or sacrificial offering — a symbol of justice or righteousness. It represents doing what is ethically correct even when it's difficult or inconvenient.

かれ正義せいぎのために たたかった。
He fought for justice.

社会しゃかいには 義務ぎむ権利けんりのバランスが 必要ひつようだ。
Society needs a balance between duties and rights.

The on-yomi ギ is used in almost all cases. There is no widely-used kun-yomi. The kanji appears frequently in abstract or moral contexts.

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