Bear in Japanese
"bear" in Japanese, with the kanji that carry the meaning.
熊
kuma
7 Japanese kanji carry the meaning "bear". The most common choice is shown first.
Which one to use
熊 is the animal. The others here are the other English bear: 担 is to shoulder a load, 負 to bear a burden or a defeat, 産 to bear a child, 含 to bear a meaning. English piles these onto one verb; Japanese keeps them apart.
Top pick
bear
Reading: yuu
14 strokes · nature
Where it comes from
Composed of ability and fire. Beast with ability.
What it carries
Bear, strength, nature. Represents powerful animal.
Related kanji for "bear"
bear
san · nature, spiritual
Composed of life and phonetic. Being born, producing.
bear
tan · nature
Composed of hand and dawn. Carrying with hand.
bear
fu · nature
Composed of shell and person. Person bearing shell.
bear a grudge(also: regret, resentment, malice)
kon · nature
Composed of heart and phonetic. Anger staying in heart.
bear in mind(also: contain, include, hold in the mouth)
gan · nature, wisdom
Composed of mouth and now. Now containing in mouth.
bear up(also: power, strength, strong)
ryoku · powerful, nature
Pictograph of arm muscle.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Japanese kanji for bear?
The most common kanji for "bear" is 熊, read as yuu. It means bear. Related kanji: 産 (bear), 担 (bear), 負 (bear), 恨 (bear a grudge), 含 (bear in mind), 力 (bear up).
How many strokes does 熊 have?
熊 has 14 strokes.