Readings: イ (Onyomi), もって (Kunyomi)
Meaning: by means of, because, in view of, compared with, to take (something) as (a reference point), from
The kanji 以 (い) is said to be a pictograph of a person’s foot, representing the idea of “stepping on” or “using” something as a basis or means. This core concept has evolved to convey meanings like “by means of,” “from (a point),” or “based on.”
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 以 (い) is written with 5 strokes. It starts with a vertical stroke, followed by two horizontal strokes, and then the bottom left and right components.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 己 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 5 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | S |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- イ (I)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- もって (motte)
Common Words Using 以
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 以上 | いじょう | more than, or more, beyond, above |
| 以下 | いか | less than, or less, below, under |
| 以内 | いない | within, inside of |
| 以前 | いぜん | before, formerly, previous |
| 以後 | いご | hereafter, thereafter, since then |
| 以外 | いがい | with the exception of, except for |
| 以来 | いらい | since, henceforth |
| 以降 | いこう | from now on, hereafter, after |
| 以北 | いほく | north of |
| 以南 | いなん | south of |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 以て | もって | By means of, with, due to (general). |
| 以ての外 | もってのほか | Outrageous, preposterous. |
| 以て | もって | For the purpose of, in order to. (e.g., 教訓と以て) |
| 以て | もって | As of, based on. (e.g., これ以て) |
| 以て | もって | With (a certain quality or state). (e.g., 責任を以て) |
| 以て | もって | Using (as a tool or method). (e.g., 武力以て) |
| 以て | もって | Because of; on account of. (e.g., 病気を以て) |
| 以て | もって | Thus; therefore (as a connecting phrase). (e.g., 以て結論とす) |
| 以て | もって | From (a point in time, archaic use). (e.g., 十年前を以て) |
| 以て | もって | As an expression for completion or conclusion. (e.g., 本日を以て終了) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: この仕事は今日中に終了します。これをもって完了です。
Kana: このしごとはきょうじゅうにしゅうりょうします。これをもってかんりょうです。
Romaji: Kono shigoto wa kyōjū ni shūryō shimasu. Kore o motte kanryō desu.
English: This work will be finished by the end of today. With this, it’s complete.
Japanese: 彼は３０歳以上に見えます。
Kana: かれはさんじゅっさいいじょうにみえます。
Romaji: Kare wa sanjussai ijō ni miemasu.
English: He looks over 30 years old.
Japanese: 応募資格は１８歳以上です。
Kana: おうぼしかくはじゅうはっさいいじょうです。
Romaji: Ōbo shikaku wa jūhassai ijō desu.
English: The eligibility for application is 18 years old and above.
Japanese: 参加人数は１０人以下でした。
Kana: さんかにんずうはじゅうにんいかでした。
Romaji: Sanka ninzū wa jūnin ika deshita.
English: The number of participants was 10 people or less.
Japanese: この地域は標高１００メートル以下です。
Kana: このちいきはひょうこうひゃくめーとるいかです。
Romaji: Kono chiiki wa hyōkō hyaku mētoru ika desu.
English: This area is 100 meters below sea level.
Japanese: 受付は５時までです。それ以降は受け付けません。
Kana: うけつけはごじまでです。それいこうはうけつけません。
Romaji: Uketsuke wa goji made desu. Sore ikō wa uketsukemasen.
English: Reception is until 5 o’clock. After that, we will not accept.
Japanese: この資料は、社内以外へは持ち出し禁止です。
Kana: このしりょうは、しゃないいがいへはもちだしきんしです。
Romaji: Kono shiryō wa, shanai igai e wa mochidashi kinshi desu.
English: This document is prohibited from being taken outside the company.
Japanese: 彼は２０年以来日本に住んでいます。
Kana: かれはにじゅうねんいらいにほんにすんでいます。
Romaji: Kare wa nijūnen irai Nihon ni sunde imasu.
English: He has been living in Japan for 20 years.
Japanese: このクーポンは、今月以内にお使いください。
Kana: このクーポンは、こんげついないにおつかいください。
Romaji: Kono kūpon wa, kongetsu inai ni otsukai kudasai.
English: Please use this coupon within this month.
Japanese: 以前、ここには大きな木がありました。
Kana: いぜん、ここにはおおきなきがありました。
Romaji: Izen, koko ni wa ookina ki ga arimashita.
English: Previously, there was a big tree here.
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