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由
由 (readings: ゆ, ゆう, ゆい, よし; Japanese kanji) means “reason / cause”. It is a Grade 3 Kyōiku kanji, taught in year 3 of Japanese elementary school, and appears in words such as 自由 (freedom).
What does 由 mean?
| Kanji | 由 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | reason / cause |
| Readings | ゆ, ゆう, ゆい, よし |
| Grade | Grade 3 (Medium) |
| Curriculum | Kyōiku kanji · Japanese elementary school |
How to read 由
由 is read ゆ or ゆう or ゆい or よし depending on the word.
Example words with 由
| Example | 自由 (freedom) |
|---|
Practice writing 由 — free
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Updated: 2026-07-14