由 Kanji – wherefore
The Japanese kanji 由 can mean wherefore, a reason.
Meaning and Readings
How is 由 read?
由 has the onyomi readings ユ, ユウ, ユイ and the kunyomi readings よし, よる.
In romaji, these readings can be written as yu, yuu, yui, yoshi, yoru.
Common Japanese Words Using 由
These common Japanese words contain 由. Select linked kanji to explore their meanings and readings.
- 経由（けいゆ） — going through, going via, going by way of
- 事由（じゆう） — reason, cause, whys and wherefores, particulars
- 自由（じゆう） — freedom, liberty
- 自由化（じゆうか） — liberalization, liberalisation, freeing
- 不自由（ふじゆう） — discomfort, inconvenience
- 由（よし） — reason, significance, cause
- 由緒（ゆいしょ） — history, pedigree, lineage
- 由来（ゆらい） — origin, source, history, derivation
- 理由（りゆう） — reason, grounds, pretext, excuse, motive
- 自由形（じゆうがた） — freestyle (e.g. swimming event)