Readings: ギ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: righteousness, justice, meaning, honor, loyalty, public service, foster
The kanji 義 is composed of 羊 (yáng – sheep) and 我 (wǒ – I/me). In ancient China, sheep were considered auspicious and often used in sacrificial rituals. The combination suggests something that is “right,” “just,” or “proper” in a moral sense, akin to one’s duty or righteousness. It evokes a strong sense of moral rectitude.
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 義 is written with 13 strokes. It begins with the top radical 羊 (sheep), followed by the lower component 我 (self/I). Pay close attention to the order and balance of strokes for accurate writing.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 羊 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 13 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | Not taught in elementary school (Joyo Kanji) |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ギ (Gi)
Common Words Using 義
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 意義 | いぎ | meaning, significance, import |
| 正義 | せいぎ | justice, righteousness, integrity |
| 義務 | ぎむ | duty, obligation, responsibility |
| 義理 | ぎり | duty, sense of obligation, social obligation |
| 主義 | しゅぎ | doctrine, principle, “ism” |
| 道義 | どうぎ | morals, ethics, moral principles |
| 仁義 | じんぎ | humanity and justice, chivalry, code of conduct |
| 義援金 | ぎえんきん | relief money, donation |
| 恩義 | おんぎ | obligation, debt of gratitude |
| 義足 | ぎそく | prosthetic leg |
Example Sentences
Japanese: この仕事には大きな意義がある。
Kana: このしごとにはおおいなるいぎがある。
Romaji: Kono shigoto ni wa ooinaru igi ga aru.
English: This job has great meaning/significance.
Japanese: 彼は正義のために戦った。
Kana: かれはせいぎのためにたたかった。
Romaji: Kare wa seigi no tame ni tatakatta.
English: He fought for justice.
Japanese: 税金を払うのは国民の義務だ。
Kana: ぜいきんをはらうのはこくみんのぎむだ。
Romaji: Zeikin o harau no wa kokumin no gimu da.
English: Paying taxes is a citizen’s duty.
Japanese: 義理を果たすため、彼は故郷に戻った。
Kana: ぎりをはたすため、かれはこきょうにもどった。
Romaji: Giri o hatasu tame, kare wa kokyou ni modotta.
English: To fulfill his obligation, he returned to his hometown.
Japanese: 民主主義は多様な意見を尊重する。
Kana: みんしゅしゅぎはたようないけんをそんちょうする。
Romaji: Minshu-shugi wa tayou na iken o sonchou suru.
English: Democracy respects diverse opinions.
Japanese: 道義に反する行為は許されない。
Kana: どうぎにはんするこういはゆるされない。
Romaji: Dougi ni hansuru koui wa yurusarenai.
English: Actions against moral principles are not permitted.
Japanese: 彼は仁義を重んじる男だ。
Kana: かれはじんぎをおもんじるおとこだ。
Romaji: Kare wa jingi o omonjiru otoko da.
English: He is a man who values humanity and justice (or a code of conduct).
Japanese: 被災地へ義援金が送られた。
Kana: ひさいちへぎえんきんがおくられた。
Romaji: Hisaichi e gienkin ga okurareta.
English: Relief money was sent to the disaster-stricken area.
Japanese: 彼の恩義に報いる機会を探している。
Kana: かれのおんぎにむくいるきかいをさがしている。
Romaji: Kare no ongi ni mukuiru kikai o sagashite iru.
English: I am looking for an opportunity to repay my debt of gratitude to him.
Japanese: 事故で義足を使うことになった。
Kana: じこでぎそくをつかうことになった。
Romaji: Jiko de gisoku o tsukau koto ni natta.
English: Due to the accident, he ended up using a prosthetic leg.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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