Readings: ヨウ (Onyomi), おど・る, おど・り (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Dance, to dance
The kanji 踊 combines the radical 足 (ashi) meaning “foot,” and the component 躍, which contributes the meaning of “leaping” or “energetic movement.” Together, they visually represent the act of dancing with one’s feet.
View JLPT N2 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 踊 has 18 strokes. It starts with the 足 (foot) radical on the left, followed by the right component (the top part of 躍). The stroke order generally follows a left-to-right, top-to-bottom pattern, starting with the 足 radical, then completing the right part.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 足 (あし) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 18 |
| JLPT Level | N2 |
| Grade | Joyo Kanji |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ヨウ (Yō)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- おどる (Odoru)
- おどり (Odori)
Common Words Using 踊
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 躍動 | やくどう | dynamic motion, throb |
| 飛躍 | ひやく | leap, jump, breakthrough |
| 活躍 | かつやく | activity, success, flourish |
| 躍進 | やくしん | rapid advance, great progress |
| 躍起 | やっき | desperate, eager, zealous |
| 跳躍 | ちょうやく | jump, leap (in sports) |
| 一躍 | いちやく | at a bound, suddenly |
| 騰躍 | とうやく | sudden rise (e.g., in prices) |
| 雀躍 | じゃくやく | dancing with joy (literary) |
| 心躍る | こころおどる | heart leaps with joy (uses 躍 but often evokes the same feeling as 踊) |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 踊る | おどる | to dance |
| 踊り | おどり | dance (noun) |
| 盆踊り | ぼんおどり | Bon dance |
| 舞踊 | ぶよう | dance (performing art) |
| 踊り子 | おどりこ | dancer (female) |
| 踊り場 | おどりば | landing (on a staircase) |
| 阿波踊り | あわおどり | Awa Dance (famous festival dance) |
| 日本舞踊 | にほんぶよう | Japanese classical dance |
| 踊り狂う | おどりくるう | to dance madly |
| 躍り出る | おどりでる | to jump out, to burst forth |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼女はダンスを踊るのが好きです。
Kana: かのじょはダンスをおどるのがすきです。
Romaji: Kanojo wa dansu o odoru no ga suki desu.
English: She likes to dance.
Japanese: 一緒に踊りませんか。
Kana: いっしょにおどりませんか。
Romaji: Issho ni odorimasen ka?
English: Would you like to dance together?
Japanese: 子供たちが楽しそうに踊っています。
Kana: こどもたちがたのしそうにおどっています。
Romaji: Kodomotachi ga tanoshisou ni odotte imasu.
English: The children are dancing happily.
Japanese: その激しい踊りはとても素晴らしかった。
Kana: そのはげしいおどりはとてもすばらしかった。
Romaji: Sono hageshii odori wa totemo subarashikatta.
English: That fierce dance was wonderful.
Japanese: 彼らは盆踊りに参加した。
Kana: かれらはぼんおどりにさんかした。
Romaji: Karera wa bon-odori ni sanka shita.
English: They participated in the Bon dance.
Japanese: 彼は新しい役職で大いに活躍した。
Kana: かれはあたらしいやくしょくでおおいに活躍した。
Romaji: Kare wa atarashii yakushoku de ooi ni katsuyaku shita.
English: He greatly succeeded in his new role.
Japanese: その会社は市場で急速な躍進を遂げた。
Kana: そのかいしゃはいちばできゅうそくなやくしんをとげた。
Romaji: Sono kaisha wa shijō de kyūsoku na yakushin o togta.
English: That company achieved rapid progress in the market.
Japanese: 試験に合格しようと彼は躍起になって勉強した。
Kana: しけんにごうかくしようと彼はやっきになってべんきょうした。
Romaji: Shiken ni gōkaku shiyou to kare wa yakki ni natte benkyō shita.
English: He studied desperately to pass the exam.
Japanese: 金魚が池から跳ね踊った。
Kana: きんぎょがいけからはねおどった。
Romaji: Kingyo ga ike kara haneodotta.
English: The goldfish leaped and danced from the pond.
Japanese: フェスティバルの舞踊は非常に盛り上がった。
Kana: フェスティバルのぶようはひじょうにもりあがった。
Romaji: Fesutibaru no buyō wa hijō ni moriagatta.
English: The festival dance was very exciting.
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