3 Kanji with 右 (yuu) | Learn 右, 佑, and 祐 Together
Learn three kanji containing the common component '右' (right) all at once.
All three kanji share the on-reading 'yuu', making them easy to memorize by simply distinguishing their radicals.
Discover the subtle nuance differences between '佑' (help from a person) and '祐' (help from a god).
How this bundle was curated
All items at a glance
| Kanji | On-reading | Kun-reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 右 | ゆう / う | みぎ | right |
| 佑 | ゆう | たすける | to help (by a person) |
| 祐 | ゆう | たすける | to help (by a god) |
Item by item
Kun: う
On: ゆう
right
This is the most basic kanji, meaning 'right' (direction). When used as a component in other kanji, it frequently lends its on-reading, 'yuu'.
Kun: たすける
On: ゆう
to help / assistance
With the person radical (亻), this kanji carries the meaning of 'a person helping by your side (on your right)'. It is most commonly used in people's names.
Kun: たすける
On: ゆう
to help / divine assistance
With the altar radical (示), this kanji adds a meaning related to altars or deities. It carries the nuance of 'help from a god' and is also frequently used in names.
Practice with examples
How to decide when unsure
- When indicating the basic direction, use '右' (right) without any additional radicals.
- '佑' with the person radical (亻) carries the nuance of 'a person helping', while '祐' with the altar radical (示) implies 'a god helping'. Both are mostly used in names or four-character idioms rather than as everyday verbs.
- Remembering that all three kanji are pronounced 'yuu' in their on-reading will make it much easier to solve kanji reading questions.
Common mistakes
Both kanji mean 'to help' and share the on-reading 'yuu', but their radicals differ. Their etymological nuances change depending on whether they use the person radical (亻) or the altar radical (示), so be careful not to mix them up when writing.
Wrong example: 神佑/Correct example: 神祐
For assistance related to a god (神), it is etymologically more natural to use '祐', which contains the altar radical (示). (However, in modern times, they are sometimes used interchangeably in names without strict distinction.)
Mini quiz
Which of the following kanji represents the direction 'right'?
One-line summary
Take advantage of the fact that kanji containing the common component '右' share the on-reading 'yuu'. Memorize them by distinguishing their meanings based on their radicals (person radical vs. altar radical).
FAQ
Are 佑 and 祐 commonly used in daily life?
In everyday conversation and general sentences, the verb 'たすける (助ける)' is used much more frequently. 佑 and 祐 are mainly seen in people's names (e.g., Yuusuke) or specific idioms.
Are there other pronunciations besides the on-reading 'yuu'?
右 can also be read as 'u' (e.g., 左右 さゆう), and its kun-reading is 'みぎ' (migi). The kun-reading for both 佑 and 祐 is 'たすける' (tasukeru), but they are rarely used this way outside of kanji proficiency tests or name readings.
