遊
play
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Combines 'movement' (辶) with 'flowing banner' (斿), depicting free movement. Represents unrestrained enjoyment and play.
Symbolism
Symbolizes free play, recreation, and spiritual liberation. Represents time and space for enjoyment apart from daily routine.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Enjoying play
Component Breakdown
walk + 斿
Words & Expressions
Words written with 遊
Four-Character Compounds
物見遊山
ものみゆさん
going on a pleasure jaunt
諸国漫遊
しょこくまんゆう
tour around the country; travelling to various provinces
Proverbs & Idioms
遊びも程々に
あそびもほどほどに
Play in moderation
Don't overdo recreation
Poetry
一家に遊女もねたり萩と月
Under one roof, courtesans asleep as well — bush clover and the moon.
我と来て遊べや親のない雀
Come and play with me — sparrow with no parents.
Anime & Manga
鬼滅の刃 遊郭編
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc
A well-known work with 遊 in its Japanese title.
幽☆遊☆白書
Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghostfiles
A well-known work with 遊 in its Japanese title.
宇崎ちゃんは遊びたい！
Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out!
A well-known work with 遊 in its Japanese title.
遊☆戯☆王 デュエルモンスターズ
Yu-Gi-Oh!
A well-known work with 遊 in its Japanese title.
死亡遊戯で飯を食う。
SHIBOYUGI: Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table
A well-known work with 遊 in its Japanese title.
Related Figures & Stories
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 遊 mean in Japanese?
遊 means play.
How do you read 遊?
On'yomi: ユウ、ユ (YUU, YU). Kun'yomi: あそ.ぶ、あそ.ばす (asobu, asobasu).
How many strokes does 遊 have?
遊 has 12 strokes. Its radical is 辶 (walk).
Is 遊 a good kanji for a tattoo?
遊 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means play. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:play