欲
longing · covetousness · greed · passion · desire · craving
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Combines 'valley' (谷, emptiness) with 'yawn' (欠), representing the heart seeking something from unfulfilled emptiness. Indicates fundamental human drive.
Symbolism
Symbolizes desire, craving, and human instinct. Represents the heart's pursuit of satisfaction and the need to control it.
Component Breakdown
谷 + yawn
Words & Expressions
Words written with 欲
Four-Character Compounds
無欲恬淡
むよくてんたん
indifferent to worldly gain
私利私欲
しりしよく
self-interest; selfish desire; greed
無私無欲
むしむよく
selflessness; unselfishness
Other kanji with the same meaning
“passion”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 欲 mean in Japanese?
欲 means longing, covetousness, greed, passion, desire, craving.
How do you read 欲?
On'yomi: ヨク (YOKU). Kun'yomi: ほっ.する、ほ.しい (hossuru, hoshii).
How many strokes does 欲 have?
欲 has 11 strokes. Its radical is 欠 (lack).
Is 欲 a good kanji for a tattoo?
欲 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means longing, covetousness, greed, passion, desire, craving. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.