Readings: ヨウ (Onyomi), さま (Kunyomi)
Meaning: way, manner, status, Mr./Ms., like, appearance
The character combines 水 (water) and 羊 (sheep). The original meaning related to the appearance of water or a pattern, evolving to mean ‘shape,’ ‘manner,’ ‘state,’ and eventually a respectful suffix for people or things.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 様 has 14 strokes. Pay attention to the three strokes of the water radical (さんずい) on the left, followed by the right-hand component which resembles 羊 (sheep) with additional strokes.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 水 (さんずい) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 14 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 6 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ヨウ (You)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- さま (Sama)
Common Words Using 様
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 様子 | ようす | appearance; state; situation |
| 様々 | さまざま | various; diverse |
| 同様 | どうよう | same; similar; identical |
| 様式 | ようしき | style; form; pattern |
| 模様 | もよう | pattern; design; condition; situation |
| 様相 | ようそう | aspect; phase; appearance |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ～様 | ～さま | Mr./Ms./Mrs./Mx.; polite suffix for names/titles |
| 皆様 | みなさま | everyone (polite) |
| お客様 | おきゃくさま | customer; guest (polite) |
| お疲れ様 | おつかれさま | Thank you for your hard work (polite greeting) |
| お待たせ様 | おまたせさま | Thank you for waiting (polite greeting) |
| ご苦労様 | ごくろうさま | Thank you for your efforts (used by superiors to inferiors) |
| 神様 | かみさま | God; deity |
| 王様 | おうさま | king |
| お姫様 | おひめさま | princess |
| 仏様 | ほとけさま | Buddha; deceased person |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼女の様子がおかしい。
Kana: かのじょのようすがおかしい。
Romaji: Kanojo no yōsu ga okashii.
English: Her appearance seems strange.
Japanese: お客様、ご注文はお決まりですか？
Kana: おきゃくさま、ごちゅうもんはおきまりですか？
Romaji: Okyaku-sama, go-chūmon wa okimari desu ka?
English: Customer, have you decided on your order?
Japanese: 皆様のご協力に感謝いたします。
Kana: みなさまのごきょうりょくにかんしゃいたします。
Romaji: Minasama no go-kyōryoku ni kansha itashimasu.
English: We appreciate everyone’s cooperation.
Japanese: 同じ様に見えますが、少し違います。
Kana: おなじようにみえますが、すこしちがいます。
Romaji: Onaji yō ni miemasu ga, sukoshi chigaimasu.
English: They look the same, but they are slightly different.
Japanese: その模様がとても美しい。
Kana: そのもようがとてもうつくしい。
Romaji: Sono moyō ga totemo utsukushii.
English: That pattern is very beautiful.
Japanese: 田中様はいらっしゃいますか？
Kana: たなかさまはいらっしゃいますか？
Romaji: Tanaka-sama wa irasshaimasu ka?
English: Is Mr./Ms. Tanaka here?
Japanese: お疲れ様でした！
Kana: おつかれさまでした！
Romaji: Otsukaresama deshita!
English: Good work! / You must be tired!
Japanese: この書類は特定の様式に従って作成してください。
Kana: このしょるいはとくていのようしきにしたがってさくせいしてください。
Romaji: Kono shorui wa tokutei no yōshiki ni shitagatte sakusei shite kudasai.
English: Please prepare this document according to the specific format.
Japanese: 人々の暮らしの様相が大きく変わった。
Kana: ひとびとのくらしのようそうがおおきくかわった。
Romaji: Hitobito no kurashi no yōsō ga ōkiku kawatta.
English: The aspect of people’s lives has changed significantly.
Japanese: 神様にお願い事をしました。
Kana: かみさまにおねがいごとをしました。
Romaji: Kami-sama ni onegai-goto o shimashita.
English: I made a wish to God.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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