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以
以 (readings: い; Japanese kanji) means “by means of / because”. It is a Grade 4 Kyōiku kanji, taught in year 4 of Japanese elementary school, and appears in words such as 以上 (above / that is all).
What does 以 mean?
| Kanji | 以 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | by means of / because |
| Readings | い |
| Grade | Grade 4 (Upper) |
| Curriculum | Kyōiku kanji · Japanese elementary school |
How to read 以
以 is read い depending on the word.
Example words with 以
| Example | 以上 (above / that is all) |
|---|
Practice writing 以 — free
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Updated: 2026-07-14