Kanji N1

義: righteousness, justice, morality

義 is a JLPT N1 kanji meaning righteousness, justice, morality, written with 13 strokes. It is read ギ (on), and has no common kun reading. Children in Japan learn it in grade 5. You will see it in 主義 (しゅぎ, doctrine) and 義務 (ぎむ, duty).

義

Meanings

  • righteousness
  • justice
  • morality
  • honor
  • loyalty
  • meaning
Strokes13
JLPT levelN1
School gradeGrade 5
Frequency#415 of 2,500

On reading · Kun reading

On reading
  • ギ

On'yomi: from Chinese, written in katakana. Used in compound words.

Kun reading
  • None in common use

Kun'yomi: native Japanese, in hiragana. The faint part is the okurigana, written in kana after the kanji.

Watch the stroke order

Every stroke in order, the live one in vermilion. Replay as often as you like.

12345678910111213

Now draw it

Trace each stroke in order. Wrong direction or wrong order gets flagged right away.

123456789101112130 / 13

Your turn: draw stroke 1 of 13. Start at the dot.

Common words with 義

The most useful words written with it, easiest first. Every other kanji in them opens its own page.

  • 主義しゅぎ

    doctrine; rule; principle; -ism

    JLPT N3
  • 義務ぎむ

    duty; obligation; responsibility

    JLPT N3
  • 正義せいぎ

    justice; right; righteousness

    JLPT N1
  • 意義いぎ

    meaning; significance

    JLPT N2
  • 講義こうぎ

    lecture

    JLPT N4
  • 定義ていぎ

    definition

    JLPT N1
  • 義理ぎり

    duty; sense of duty; honor; honour; decency

    JLPT N1
  • 名義めいぎ

    name (esp. on a deed, contract, work, etc.)

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Stroke order from KanjiVG © Ulrich Apel, CC BY-SA 3.0. Readings, meanings and words from KANJIDIC2 and JMdict, names from JMnedict, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA 4.0, and Wikidata, CC0. JLPT lists after Jonathan Waller (tanos.co.uk), CC BY.