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予

On'yomi
ヨ・シャ
YO / SHA
Kun'yomi
あらかじ.め
arakajime

beforehand · previous · myself · I

Details

Strokes4
Frequency#180
Radical亅hook(1)

Stroke Order

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Strokes4

Cultural Context

Etymology

Derives from the shape of a weaving shuttle, a tool that moves thread back and forth. Extended to mean 'beforehand' or 'in advance.'

Symbolism

Symbolizes prediction, preparation, and readiness for the future. Represents foresight and planning ahead.

Related Culture & Scenes

  • — Aiming for the mountain peak

Words & Expressions

Words written with 予

予めあらかじめbeforehand
予想よそうexpectation
予定よていplans
予感よかんhunch
予算よさんbudget
予備よびreserve

Four-Character Compounds

執行猶予

しっこうゆうよ

stay of execution; suspended sentence

Anime & Manga

七つの大罪 聖戦の予兆

The Seven Deadly Sins: Signs of A Holy War

Anime

A well-known work with 予 in its Japanese title.

没落予定の貴族だけど、暇だったから魔法を極めてみた

I’m a Noble on the Brink of Ruin, So I Might as Well Try Mastering Magic

Anime

A well-known work with 予 in its Japanese title.

予言のナユタ

Nayuta of the Prophecy

Manga

A well-known work with 予 in its Japanese title.

予告犯

Prophecy

Manga

A well-known work with 予 in its Japanese title.

Related Figures & Stories

欧陽予倩

Ouyang Yuqian1889–1962

Name contains 予

Ouyang Yuqian was a Chinese playwright, Peking opera actor and writer, film screenwriter and director, and drama educator.

Wikipedia

Other kanji with the same meaning

Similar Kanji

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 予 mean in Japanese?

予 means beforehand, previous, myself, I.

How do you read 予?

On'yomi: ヨ、シャ (YO, SHA). Kun'yomi: あらかじ.め (arakajime).

How many strokes does 予 have?

予 has 4 strokes. Its radical is 亅 (hook).

Is 予 a good kanji for a tattoo?

予 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means beforehand, previous, myself, I. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.

Explore by meaning:beforehand · previous · myself