Meaning
The kanji 尿 (にょう) refers to urine or micturition (the act of urinating). Visually, the character's components clearly hint at its meaning. It is composed of two main parts: 尸 (しかばね) and 水 (みず). The radical 尸 (しかばね), often associated with 'corpse' or 'body', is used more broadly here to represent the human body or an enclosure. It can also be seen as a pictograph of a squatting person or a roof covering something. The component 水, meaning 'water', clearly denotes liquid. When combined as 尸 enclosing 水, 尿 visually evokes the image of fluid being discharged from the body. This directly depicts the expulsion of bodily fluid, specifically urine.
This kanji is predominantly encountered in formal, medical, or scientific contexts in Japanese, reflecting its precise and clinical meaning. Although not assigned to a specific elementary school grade, it is a Jōyō Kanji (常用漢字), indicating its common use in written Japanese. Japanese learners typically encounter it at the advanced JLPT N1 level, where understanding specialized vocabulary is important. To understand medical reports, health discussions, and biological texts, familiarity with 尿 is vital.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary and almost exclusive on'yomi reading for 尿 is ニョウ (nyou). This reading is derived from its historical pronunciation in Chinese and is used in nearly all modern Japanese compound words involving this kanji. It is particularly prevalent in medical, biological, and health-related terminology. As the concept of 'urine' often requires specific, technical vocabulary, the on'yomi reading is standard for compound words.
- 尿検査 (nyoukensa) — urine test; urinalysis. This term is used for medical check-ups to analyze the components of urine.
- 尿道 (nyoudou) — urethra. Refers to the tube through which urine exits the body.
- 泌尿器科 (hinyoukika) — urology department; urology. This is the medical specialty dealing with the urinary and male reproductive systems.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kanji 尿 does not have a commonly used standalone kun'yomi reading in modern Japanese. While archaic or very rare readings like 「しと」(shito, as in しとをする 'to urinate') or 「いばり」(ibari) might appear in older literature or specific regional dialects, they are largely obsolete in contemporary standard Japanese. For everyday communication, native Japanese speakers typically use words like 「おしっこ」(oshikko, a more informal term for urine) or 「しょうべん」(shouben, meaning urination or urine, often written as 小便) rather than using 尿 with a kun'yomi. Therefore, for practical study at the JLPT N1 level and beyond, it's best to focus almost entirely on the on'yomi reading ニョウ, as it is standard for all relevant compound words and technical terms.
Common Words & Compounds
For advanced Japanese learners, especially those dealing with health, medicine, and biology, understanding 尿 in context is essential. Here are several common words and compounds categorized by theme:
Medical & Diagnostic Terms
- 尿検査 (nyoukensa) — Urine test, urinalysis. A standard diagnostic procedure.
- 検尿 (kennyou) — Urine examination. Similar to 尿検査 but can refer to the act of examining urine.
- 採尿 (sainyou) — Urine collection. The process of obtaining a urine sample.
- 泌尿器科 (hinyoukika) — Urology department. A hospital department specializing in urinary issues.
Bodily Structures & Functions
- 尿道 (nyoudou) — Urethra. The tube connecting the bladder to the outside of the body.
- 排尿 (hainyou) — Urination, micturition. The act of expelling urine.
- 利尿 (rinyou) — Diuresis. Increased or excessive production of urine.
- 利尿剤 (rinyouzai) — Diuretic. Medication that promotes increased production of urine.
Symptoms & Conditions
- 血尿 (ketsunyou) — Hematuria, bloody urine. A symptom indicating blood in the urine.
- 多尿 (tanyou) — Polyuria, excessive urination. Producing an abnormally large volume of urine.
- 頻尿 (hinnyou) — Frequent urination. Needing to urinate more often than usual.
- 残尿 (zannyou) — Residual urine. Urine remaining in the bladder after urination.
- 蛋白尿 (tanpakunyou) — Proteinuria, protein in urine. A condition where excess protein is excreted in urine.
- 糖尿病 (tounyoubyou) — Diabetes mellitus (lit. 'sugar urine disease'). A metabolic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels.
- 尿路結石 (nyourokesseki) — Urinary tract stone. Stones formed in the urinary system.
Example Sentences
毎朝の尿検査で健康状態をチェックしています。
Maiasa no nyoukensa de kenkou joutai o chekku shiteimasu.
I check my health condition with a daily morning urine test.
腎臓は体から不要な物質を濾過し、尿として排出します。
Jinzou wa karada kara fuyou na busshitsu o roka shi, nyou to shite haishutsu shimasu.
The kidneys filter unnecessary substances from the body and excrete them as urine.
泌尿器科の医師が尿路感染症について詳しく説明しました。
Hinyoukika no ishi ga nyouro kansenshou ni tsuite kuwashiku setsumei shimashita.
The urologist explained in detail about urinary tract infections.
利尿剤を服用すると、尿の量が増えてむくみが取れます。
Rinyouzai o fukuyou suru to, nyou no ryou ga fuete mukumi ga toremasu.
Taking diuretics increases urine volume and reduces swelling.
水分を多く摂ることは、尿路結石の予防に効果的です。
Suibun o ooku toru koto wa, nyouro kesseki no yobou ni koukateki desu.
Drinking plenty of fluids is effective in preventing urinary stones.
糖尿病の患者は、尿に糖が出ることがあります。
Tounyoubyou no kanja wa, nyou ni tou ga deru koto ga arimasu.
Diabetic patients may excrete sugar in their urine.
運動後は体が脱水気味になり、尿の色が濃くなることがあります。
Undougo wa karada ga dassuikimi ni nari, nyou no iro ga koku naru koto ga arimasu.
After exercise, the body tends to be dehydrated, and urine may become darker in color.
朝の検尿のために、前日から飲酒を控えるように指示されました。
Asa no kennyou no tame ni, zenjitsu kara inshu ohikaeru you ni shiji saremashita.
I was instructed to refrain from alcohol the day before for my morning urine examination.
彼は頻繁にトイレに行くので、頻尿の症状があるのかもしれません。
Kare wa hinpan ni toire ni iku node, hinnyou no shoujou ga aru no kamo shiremasen.
He goes to the toilet frequently, so he might be experiencing symptoms of frequent urination.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 尿, focus on its visual components: 尸 and 水. You can imagine the radical 尸 as a stylized representation of a squatting person or the human body. The character 水 clearly means water. Therefore, envision a person (尸) squatting and releasing water (水). This direct image creates a clear association with "urine" or "bodily water excretion." You can also think of 尸 as a roof or enclosure for the body, and 水 as the fluid leaving it, reinforcing the idea of bodily discharge. This simple story makes 尿 relatively easy to recall, thanks to its clear visual representation.