優
tenderness · excel · surpass · actor · superiority · gentleness
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of person and grief. Grieving person.
Symbolism
Excellent, excel, gentle. Represents excellence.
Component Breakdown
person + 憂
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
優柔不断
ゆうじゅうふだん
indecisive; irresolute; shilly-shally
優勝劣敗
ゆうしょうれっぱい
survival of the fittest
Anime & Manga
オタクに優しいギャルはいない!?
Gals Can't Be Kind to Otaku!?
A well-known work with 優 in its Japanese title.
千年女優
Millennium Actress
A well-known work with 優 in its Japanese title.
魔法科高校の優等生
The Honor at Magic High School
A well-known work with 優 in its Japanese title.
転生貴族、鑑定スキルで成り上がる ～弱小領地を受け継いだので、優秀な人材を増やしていたら、最強領地になってた～
As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I’ll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World
A well-known work with 優 in its Japanese title.
魔王の娘は優しすぎる!!
The Daughter of the Demon Lord Is Too Kind!
A well-known work with 優 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 優 mean in Japanese?
優 means tenderness, excel, surpass, actor, superiority, gentleness.
How do you read 優?
On'yomi: ユウ、ウ (YUU, U). Kun'yomi: やさ.しい、すぐ.れる、まさ.る (yasashii, sugureru, masaru).
How many strokes does 優 have?
優 has 17 strokes. Its radical is 人 (person).
Is 優 a good kanji for a tattoo?
優 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means tenderness, excel, surpass, actor, superiority, gentleness. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:excel · surpass · actor · superiority · gentleness