Readings: ウン (Onyomi), はこ-ぶ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: carry, transport, luck, fate, destiny, move, progress
The kanji 運 is composed of 辶 (しんにょう/shinnyou), which means “to move” or “to walk,” and 軍 (ぐん/gun), which means “army” or “military.” The combination suggests the movement or transportation of an army or goods, leading to the meaning of “carry” or “transport.” Over time, it also evolved to include concepts of “luck” or “fate,” as in things that “come along” or “happen.”
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 運 is written with 13 strokes. It begins with the “しんにょう” radical (辶) on the left side, which is typically drawn in three strokes. The right component, which resembles 軍, is then completed. Ensure smooth, continuous strokes for the radical and clear, distinct strokes for the right part. Practice each part separately before combining them.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 辶 (しんにょう) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 13 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | Grade 3 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- 運 (un)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- 運ぶ (hakobu)
Common Words Using 運
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 運動 | うんどう | exercise, motion, movement |
| 運転 | うんてん | driving |
| 運命 | うんめい | fate, destiny |
| 幸運 | こううん | good luck, fortune |
| 不運 | ふうん | bad luck, misfortune |
| 運賃 | うんちん | fare (for transportation) |
| 運送 | うんそう | transport, freight |
| 運河 | うんが | canal |
| 運勢 | うんせい | fortune, luck (as in fortune-telling) |
| 運休 | うんきゅう | suspension of service (trains, buses) |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 運ぶ | はこぶ | to carry, to transport |
| 荷物を運ぶ | にもつをはこぶ | to carry luggage |
| 水を運ぶ | みずをはこぶ | to carry water |
| 物を運ぶ | ものをはこぶ | to carry things |
| 家財を運ぶ | かざいをはこぶ | to transport household effects |
| ボールを運ぶ | ぼーるをはこぶ | to carry/move the ball (in sports) |
| 手伝って運ぶ | てつだってはこぶ | to help carry |
| 品物を運ぶ | しなものをはこぶ | to transport goods |
| 患者を運ぶ | かんじゃをはこぶ | to transport a patient |
| 喜びを運ぶ | よろこびをはこぶ | to bring joy |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 毎日運動していますか？
Kana: まいにちうんどうしていますか？
Romaji: Mainichi undou shite imasu ka?
English: Do you exercise every day?
Japanese: 彼は車を運転するのが好きです。
Kana: かれはくるまをうんてんするのがすきです。
Romaji: Kare wa kuruma o unten suru no ga suki desu.
English: He likes driving a car.
Japanese: これは私の運命です。
Kana: これはわたしのうんめいです。
Romaji: Kore wa watashi no unmei desu.
English: This is my destiny.
Japanese: 今日はとても幸運でした。
Kana: きょうはとてもこううんでした。
Romaji: Kyou wa totemo kouun deshita.
English: I was very lucky today.
Japanese: 荷物を部屋に運びましょう。
Kana: にもつをへやにはこびましょう。
Romaji: Nimotsu o heya ni hakobimashou.
English: Let’s carry the luggage to the room.
Japanese: 電車の運賃はいくらですか？
Kana: でんしゃのうんちんはいくらですか？
Romaji: Densha no unchin wa ikura desu ka?
English: How much is the train fare?
Japanese: 不運にも、傘を忘れました。
Kana: ふうんにも、かさをわすれました。
Romaji: Fuun ni mo, kasa o wasuremashita.
English: Unfortunately, I forgot my umbrella.
Japanese: 運河を船がゆっくり進んでいます。
Kana: うんがをふねがゆっくりすすんでいます。
Romaji: Unga o fune ga yukkuri susunde imasu.
English: A boat is slowly moving through the canal.
Japanese: 今日は運勢が良い日だと聞きました。
Kana: きょうはうんせいがよいひだとききました。
Romaji: Kyou wa unsei ga yoi hi da to kikimashita.
English: I heard today is a day with good fortune.
Japanese: この電車は現在運休中です。
Kana: このでんしゃはげんざいうんきゅうちゅうです。
Romaji: Kono densha wa genzai unkyuuchuu desu.
English: This train is currently suspended.
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