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要
On'yomi
ヨウ
YOU
Kun'yomi
い.る・かなめ
iru / kaname
need · main point · essence · pivot · key to
Details
Strokes9
Frequency#106
Radical襾west(6)
Stroke Order
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Strokes9
Component Breakdown
要=
覀女
覀 + woman
Cultural Context
Etymology
Combines 'cover' (西) with 'woman' (女), originally referring to the waist area. Extended from this vital body part to mean 'important' and 'necessary.'
Symbolism
Symbolizes essence, importance, and indispensability. Represents the central, essential elements of matters.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
不得要領
ふとくようりょう
vague; ambiguous; noncommittal; vague
要害堅固
ようがいけんご
(a fortress being) impregnable; unassailable; (a fortress being) impregnable