Readings: グウ (Onyomi), たま (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Accidentally, by chance; pair, even number; sometimes, occasionally
Semantic-phonetic compound. The left component 人 (ひと) is the radical for “person”. The right component 禺 (ぐう) is the phonetic element, originally depicting a “monkey” or “image”. Together, it evokes an “image of a person” or “idol”, and by extension, “chance” (as if something appearing by itself), or “pair/even” (suggesting a symmetrical or duplicated form).
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 偶 has 11 strokes. It begins with the ‘ninben’ (人) radical on the left, followed by the right component. Pay attention to the order and direction of each stroke to ensure proper formation.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 人 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 11 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | Jouyou Kanji |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- グウ (Guu)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- たま (tama)
Common Words Using 偶
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 偶然 | ぐうぜん | by chance, accidentally |
| 偶数 | ぐうすう | even number |
| 偶像 | ぐうぞう | idol, image |
| 偶発 | ぐうはつ | accidental occurrence |
| 配偶者 | はいぐうしゃ | spouse |
| 奇遇 | きぐう | a strange meeting, unexpected encounter |
| 偶感 | ぐうかん | random thoughts |
| 偶語 | ぐうご | couplet, paired words |
| 偶因 | ぐういん | accidental cause |
| 偶発事故 | ぐうはつじこ | accidental incident |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 偶に | たまに | occasionally, once in a while |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 昨日、駅で偶然友達に会いました。
Kana: きのう、えきでぐうぜんともだちにあいました。
Romaji: Kinō, eki de gūzen tomodachi ni aimashita.
English: Yesterday, I accidentally met a friend at the station.
Japanese: ４は偶数です。
Kana: よんはぐうすうです。
Romaji: Yon wa gūsuu desu.
English: Four is an even number.
Japanese: その歌手は若者の偶像です。
Kana: そのかしゅはわかもののぐうぞうです。
Romaji: Sono kashu wa wakamono no gūzō desu.
English: That singer is an idol for young people.
Japanese: 偶発的な出来事が会議を中断させました。
Kana: ぐうはつてきなできごとがかいぎをちゅうだんさせました。
Romaji: Gūhatsu-teki na dekigoto ga kaigi o chūdan sasemashita.
English: An accidental incident interrupted the meeting.
Japanese: 彼の配偶者はとても優しい人です。
Kana: かれのはいぐうしゃはとてもやさしいひとです。
Romaji: Kare no haigūsha wa totてもyasashii hito desu.
English: His spouse is a very kind person.
Japanese: 偶にラーメンを食べに行きます。
Kana: たまにラーメンをたべにいきます。
Romaji: Tamani rāmen o tabe ni ikimasu.
English: I occasionally go to eat ramen.
Japanese: これは私にとって奇遇な出会いでした。
Kana: これはわたしにとってきぐうなであいでした。
Romaji: Kore wa watashi ni totte kigū na deai deshita.
English: This was a strange or unexpected encounter for me.
Japanese: 偶感録として、日々の出来事を記録しています。
Kana: ぐうかんろくとして、ひびのできごとをきろくしています。
Romaji: Gūkanroku to shite, hibi no dekigoto o kiroku shite imasu.
English: I record daily events as random thoughts.
Japanese: 文章に偶語を使うことで、リズムが生まれることがあります。
Kana: ぶんしょうにぐうごをつかうことで、リズムがうまれることがあります。
Romaji: Bunshō ni gūgo o tsukau koto de, rizumu ga umareru koto ga arimasu.
English: By using couplets in writing, sometimes a rhythm is created.
Japanese: 偶発事故を防ぐために、安全対策を徹底しています。
Kana: ぐうはつじこをふせぐために、あんぜんたいさくをてっていしています。
Romaji: Gūhatsu jiko o fusegu tame ni, anzen taisaku o tettei shite imasu.
English: We are thoroughly implementing safety measures to prevent accidental incidents.
Related Grammar & kanji list
Expand your study with grammar and kanji lists for other JLPT levels:
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.