Readings: ヨ (Onyomi), あらかじめ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: in advance, beforehand, I, myself
The character is thought to be a pictogram of a shuttle used in weaving, which signifies something being “given” or “provided” in preparation, leading to meanings of “beforehand” or “in advance.” In ancient Chinese, it also referred to “I” or “myself.”
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The stroke order for 予 starts with the vertical stroke on the left, followed by the two horizontal strokes crossing it, and finally the hook-like stroke at the bottom right. Remember the order: vertical, horizontal, horizontal, hook.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 予 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 4 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 3 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ヨ (yo)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- あらかじめ (arakajime)
Common Words Using 予
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 予定 | よてい | plan, schedule |
| 予報 | よほう | forecast |
| 予備 | よび | reserve, spare |
| 予算 | よさん | budget |
| 予測 | よそく | prediction |
| 予防 | よぼう | prevention |
| 予感 | よかん | premonition, hunch |
| 予選 | よせん | preliminary round |
| 予期 | よき | expectation, foresee |
| 予習 | よしゅう | preparation for a lesson |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 予め | あらかじめ | beforehand; in advance |
| 予め | あらかじめ | previously; already done |
| 予め | あらかじめ | ahead of schedule; with prior arrangement |
| 予め | あらかじめ | in anticipation; prepared for |
| 予め | あらかじめ | as a preliminary measure; for preparation |
| 予め | あらかじめ | for future reference; to be aware of |
| 予て | かねて | for a long time; since before (classical, literary) |
| 予て | かねて | already; previously (classical, literary) |
| 予め | あらかじめ | in advance (common adverbial use) |
| 予て | かねて | for a long time (common literary use) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 明日の予定は何ですか？
Kana: あしたのよていはなんですか？
Romaji: Ashita no yotei wa nan desu ka?
English: What is your plan for tomorrow?
Japanese: 天気予報によると、明日は晴れるそうです。
Kana: てんきよほうによると、あしたははれるそうです。
Romaji: Tenki yohou ni yoru to, ashita wa hareru sou desu.
English: According to the weather forecast, it will be sunny tomorrow.
Japanese: 予備の電池を持っていますか？
Kana: よびのでんちをもっていますか？
Romaji: Yobi no denchi wo motteimasu ka?
English: Do you have a spare battery?
Japanese: 今月の予算はもう使い果たしました。
Kana: こんげつのよさんはもうつかいはたしました。
Romaji: Kongetsu no yosan wa mou tsukaihatashimashita.
English: I’ve already used up this month’s budget.
Japanese: 専門家は経済の回復を予測している。
Kana: せんもんかはけいざいのかいふくをよそくしている。
Romaji: Senmonka wa keizai no kaifuku wo yosoku shiteiru.
English: Experts are predicting an economic recovery.
Japanese: 風邪の予防のために手洗いをしましょう。
Kana: かぜのよぼうのためにてあらいをしましょう。
Romaji: Kaze no yobou no tame ni tearai wo shimashou.
English: Let’s wash our hands to prevent colds.
Japanese: 何か良いことが起こる予感がする。
Kana: なにかよいことがおこるよかんがする。
Romaji: Nanika yoi koto ga okoru yokan ga suru.
English: I have a hunch something good is going to happen.
Japanese: 彼はオリンピックの予選を通過した。
Kana: かれはオリンピックのよせんをつうかした。
Romaji: Kare wa orinpikku no yosen wo tsuuka shita.
English: He passed the Olympic qualifiers.
Japanese: 予期せぬ問題が発生した。
Kana: よきせぬもんだいがはっせいした。
Romaji: Yoki senu mondai ga hassei shita.
English: An unexpected problem occurred.
Japanese: 授業の前に予習をしておきましょう。
Kana: じゅぎょうのまえによしゅうをしておきましょう。
Romaji: Jugyou no mae ni yoshuu wo shite okimashou.
English: Let’s prepare for the lesson beforehand.
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