要
need · main point · essence · pivot · key to
Details
Stroke Order
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.
Component Breakdown
覀 + woman
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
不得要領
ふとくようりょう
vague; ambiguous; noncommittal
要害堅固
ようがいけんご
(a fortress being) impregnable; unassailable
Anime & Manga
無職の英雄 別にスキルなんか要らなかったんだが
Hero Without a Class: Who Even Needs Skills?!
A well-known work with 要 in its Japanese title.
治癒魔法の間違った使い方 ~戦場を駆ける回復要員~
The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic
A well-known work with 要 in its Japanese title.
这个婚反正也要完蛋
The Broken Ring: This Marriage Will Fail Anyway
A well-known work with 要 in its Japanese title.
这一世我要当至尊
Rebirth Of The Ultimate Master
A well-known work with 要 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
“main point”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 要 mean in Japanese?
要 means need, main point, essence, pivot, key to.
How do you read 要?
On'yomi: ヨウ (YOU). Kun'yomi: い.る、かなめ (iru, kaname).
How many strokes does 要 have?
要 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 襾 (west).
Is 要 a good kanji for a tattoo?
要 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means need, main point, essence, pivot, key to. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:need · main point · essence · pivot