Readings: コ (Onyomi), よ.ぶ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: call, shout, invite
The kanji 呼 is formed from 口 (kuchi, meaning “mouth”) and 乎 (ko, an ancient phonetic component that originally conveyed the idea of calling out or exhaling. Together, they represent the act of making a sound from the mouth, hence “to call” or “to breathe out”.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 呼 is drawn with 8 strokes. It begins with the mouth radical on the left, followed by the right-side component, emphasizing a natural flow from the mouth outwards, as in calling or exhaling. Follow the stroke order to ensure correct writing.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 口 (くち) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 8 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 6 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- コ (Ko)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- 呼ぶ (yobu)
Common Words Using 呼
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 呼吸 | こきゅう | breath, respiration |
| 呼称 | こしょう | designation, name |
| 呼気 | こき | exhaled breath |
| 呼応 | こおう | call in response, respond |
| 呼集 | こしゅう | muster, call together |
| 呼出音 | こしゅつおん | call tone (e.g., telephone ringing tone) |
| 呼出信号 | こしゅつしんごう | call signal |
| 呼気分析 | こきぶんせき | breath analysis |
| 呼気検査 | こきけんさ | breath test |
| 呼応関係 | こおうかんけい | correlative relationship |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 呼ぶ | よぶ | to call, to invite |
| 呼び出す | よびだす | to call out, to summon |
| 呼びかける | よびかける | to call out to, to appeal to |
| 呼び止める | よびとめる | to call out and stop |
| 呼び寄せる | よびよせる | to call together, to gather |
| 呼び戻す | よびもどす | to call back |
| 呼び水 | よびみず | priming water, incentive |
| 呼び声 | よびごえ | a call, a shout |
| 呼び名 | よびな | appellation, nickname |
| 呼び捨て | よびすて | calling someone by their first name without honorifics (impolite) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼は友達を呼んだ。
Kana: かれはともだちをよんだ。
Romaji: Kare wa tomodachi o yonda.
English: He called his friend.
Japanese: 大声で助けを呼んだ。
Kana: おおごえでたすけをよんだ。
Romaji: Ōgoe de tasuke o yonda.
English: I called for help in a loud voice.
Japanese: タクシーを呼びましょうか。
Kana: タクシーをよびましょうか。
Romaji: Takushī o yobimashō ka.
English: Shall I call a taxi?
Japanese: 彼は救急車を呼んだ。
Kana: かれはきゅうきゅうしゃをよんだ。
Romaji: Kare wa kyūkyūsha o yonda.
English: He called an ambulance.
Japanese: 先生が学生を呼び出した。
Kana: せんせいががくせいをよびだした。
Romaji: Sensei ga gakusei o yobidashita.
English: The teacher called the student out.
Japanese: 道で名前を呼ばれた。
Kana: みちでなまえをよばれた。
Romaji: Michi de namae o yobareta.
English: My name was called on the street.
Japanese: 遠くから私を呼ぶ声が聞こえた。
Kana: とおくからわたしをよぶこえがきこえた。
Romaji: Tōku kara watashi o yobu koe ga kikoeta.
English: I heard a voice calling me from afar.
Japanese: 彼は彼女を家に呼んだ。
Kana: かれはかのじょをいえによんだ。
Romaji: Kare wa kanojo o ie ni yonda.
English: He invited her to his house.
Japanese: みんなで一斉に「がんばれ」と叫び、選手を応援し呼応した。
Kana: みんなでいっせいに「がんばれ」とさけび、せんしゅをおうえんしこおうした。
Romaji: Minna de issei ni “ganbare” to sakebi, senshu o ōen shi koō shita.
English: Everyone simultaneously shouted “Ganbare!” and cheered for the athletes, responding in kind.
Japanese: 深く呼吸してください。
Kana: ふかくこきゅうしてください。
Romaji: Fukaku kokyū shite kudasai.
English: Please breathe deeply.
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