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JLPT N112画 · 12 strokesradical 阜grade 3freq #1071

sunshine, yang principle, positive, male

Also: heaven, daytime

On'yomi (音読み)

  • ヨウ

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

Mnemonic

Imagine a bright sun shining down (陽) while a mountain (阜) provides a solid foundation, representing positive energy and the male principle illuminating everything around.

About this kanji

The kanji 陽 (よう) primarily means sunshine and represents bright, positive energy. It is often used as a noun and is associated with warmth and cheerfulness. Some common compounds include 太陽 (たいよう), which means the Sun, and 陽気 (ようき), meaning cheerful or lively. 陽光 (ようこう) refers to sunshine specifically, while 陽性 (ようせい) indicates a positive characteristic, such as a positive test result. A useful note about 陽 is that it often contrasts with the kanji 陰 (いん), which represents shadows or the negative side, reflecting the duality between light and dark.

Example sentences

  • 陽が昇るのを見る。

    I watch the sun rise.

Meanings across languages

English
sunshine, yang principle, positive, male, heaven, daytime
Tiếng Việt
ánh nắng
日本語
陽光
한국어
햇빛
中文
阳光
id
sinar matahari
th
แสงอาทิตย์
es
luz solar
fr
lumière du soleil
de
Sonnenschein
pt
luz do sol

Common compounds

  • 太陽たいようSun
  • 陽気ようきcheerful, jovial, merry
  • 陽光ようこうsunshine, sunlight
  • 陽子ようしproton
  • 陽性ようせいpositive (result), positive (attitude), cheerful
  • 山陽さんようsouth side of a mountain, Sanyo district
  • 太陽系たいようけいsolar system
  • 太陽電池たいようでんちsolar cell

Want to actually learn this kanji?

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