右
| Property |
Value |
| Meaning |
right |
| Strokes |
5 |
| JLPT Level |
N5 |
| On-reading (音読み) |
ウ (u)、ユウ (yū) |
| Kun-reading (訓読み) |
みぎ (migi) |
| Radical |
口 (kuchi - mouth) [U+53E3] |
Stroke Order
The kanji 右 follows the rule of writing horizontal strokes before vertical strokes that intersect them.
- Stroke 1: The short horizontal stroke at the top left.
- Stroke 2: The long vertical stroke that starts from the top and turns to form the bottom of the "mouth" (口) shape.
- Stroke 3: The horizontal stroke closing the "mouth" shape.
- Stroke 4: The long, sweeping stroke starting from the top right, moving downward and slightly to the left.
- Stroke 5: The long, horizontal stroke at the bottom, extending to the right.
Radical Analysis
The kanji 右 is composed of two parts:
- Radical (部首): 口 (kuchi - mouth). In this specific character, the "mouth" radical represents a hand or an action.
- Component: 𠂇 (an ancient form representing a left hand).
- Etymology: Originally, 右 depicted a right hand (the bottom component) assisting the mouth (口), implying "to help" or "to support." Over time, it became the standard character for the direction "right."
Mnemonic
- The Mouth and the Hand: Imagine a person pointing to the right with their right hand, while their mouth (口) is open, shouting, "Look to the right!"
- The "Right" Way: Notice that the bottom stroke (the "hand") is longer and reaches further to the right, showing you which way to go.
On-readings (音読み) with Examples
ウ (u)
| Word |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
| 右翼 |
うよく |
uyoku |
right wing (politics) |
| 右側 |
うそく |
usoku |
right side |
| 左右 |
さゆう |
sayū |
left and right / influence |
ユウ (yū)
| Word |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
| 右折 |
ゆうせつ |
yūsetsu |
right turn |
| 右脳 |
うのう |
unō |
right brain |
Kun-readings (訓読み) with Examples
みぎ (migi)
| Word |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
| 右手 |
みぎて |
migite |
right hand |
| 右側 |
みぎがわ |
migigawa |
right side |
| 右足 |
みぎあし |
migiashi |
right foot |
JLPT N5 Words Using 右
| Word |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
JLPT |
| 右 |
みぎ |
migi |
right |
N5 |
| 右手 |
みぎて |
migite |
right hand |
N5 |
| 右側 |
みぎがわ |
migigawa |
right side |
N5 |
| 左右 |
さゆう |
sayū |
left and right |
N4 |
| 右折 |
ゆうせつ |
yūsetsu |
right turn |
N3 |
| 右翼 |
うよく |
uyoku |
right wing |
N2 |
| 右脳 |
うのう |
unō |
right brain |
N2 |
| 右肩上がり |
みぎかたあがり |
migikataagari |
upward trend |
N1 |
Example Sentences
| Japanese |
Reading |
Romaji |
English |
| 右に曲がってください。 |
みぎにまがってください。 |
Migi ni magatte kudasai. |
Please turn right. |
| 左右を確認する。 |
さゆうをかくにんする。 |
Sayū o kakunin suru. |
Check left and right. |
| 彼は右手で書く。 |
かれはみぎてでかく。 |
Kare wa migite de kaku. |
He writes with his right hand. |
| 右側を歩いてください。 |
みぎがわをあるいてください。 |
Migigawa o aruite kudasai. |
Please walk on the right side. |
| 次の角を右折します。 |
つぎのかどをゆうせつします。 |
Tsugi no kado o yūsetsu shimasu. |
I will turn right at the next corner. |
| 左右の靴が違います。 |
さゆうのくつがちがいます。 |
Sayū no kutsu ga chigaimasu. |
The left and right shoes are different. |
Common Confusion Pairs
| Kanji |
Reading |
Meaning |
How to distinguish |
| 右 |
みぎ |
right |
The bottom component is a "hand" (𠂇). |
| 左 |
ひだり |
left |
The bottom component is "work" (工). |
| 石 |
いし |
stone |
The top component is a "cliff" (厂). |
- Tip: Remember that 左 (left) has the "work" (工) radical, which looks like a tool used by the left hand. 右 (right) has the "mouth" (口) radical, which is the "right" thing to use to speak.
Usage Frequency Note
右 is one of the most fundamental kanji in the Japanese language. It is used daily in navigation, descriptions, and formal writing. It appears frequently in newspapers, road signs, and casual conversation. Mastery of this character is essential for basic literacy.