Meaning
The kanji 揺 primarily means “to sway,” “to shake,” “to swing,” or “to waver.” It describes a back-and-forth, oscillating, or unstable movement. This movement can be physical, like a tree branch in the wind, or abstract, such as emotions or convictions. Essentially, 揺 captures a state of being unsettled or in motion, often lacking fixed direction or stability.
Its etymology reveals how its components contribute to its meaning. The left radical, 手 (te), is the “hand” radical, which often indicates actions performed with the hand or implies physical action in general. The right component, 摇 (yō), functions as both a phonetic element, providing the kanji's On'yomi reading, and reinforces the idea of shaking or rocking. This combination vividly reinforces the idea of an action (the hand) causing a swaying or shaking motion. The kanji's structure thus powerfully conveys the essence of physical movement or instability.
This kanji has 13 strokes and is an N1 level kanji. While it's a Jōyō kanji, it isn't assigned a specific school grade (hence '0' in the grade field) because it's considered secondary school level. It's typically taught as part of advanced vocabulary in Japanese language education.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The main On'yomi reading for 揺 is ヨウ (YŌ). This reading often appears in more formal, abstract, or academic compound words, carrying a slightly different nuance than its Kun'yomi counterparts. You'll frequently find it in terms describing emotional states, societal instability, or specific types of oscillation.
- 動揺 (dōyō) — agitation, disturbance, emotional shock. This term describes a state of mental or emotional instability, often triggered by unexpected events or news.
彼の突然の発言に会議室は動揺した。 — The conference room was agitated by his sudden remark.
- 揺籃 (yōran) — cradle, infancy, birthplace. This is a more literary or poetic term, often used metaphorically for the origin or beginning of something.
文明の揺籃と呼ばれる地。 — A land called the cradle of civilization.
- 揺蕩 (yōtō) — to sway, to swing, to drift (often used poetically to describe gentle movement on water or in the wind).
水面に花が揺蕩っていた。 — Flowers were swaying on the water's surface.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings are crucial for understanding how 揺 is used in everyday Japanese verbs, with each carrying specific nuances of shaking or swaying.
- ゆ.れる (yu.reru) — An intransitive verb meaning “to sway,” “to shake,” or “to swing” of its own accord. It describes an object or person moving back and forth without external manipulation.
風で木の葉が揺れる。 — The leaves of the tree sway in the wind.
地震で建物が揺れる。 — The building shakes in the earthquake.
- ゆ.らぐ (yu.ragu) — Also an intransitive verb, similar to ゆれる, but it often implies a more gentle, subtle, or unstable flickering or wavering movement. It can also refer to a wavering of beliefs, thoughts, or physical stability.
炎が静かに揺らぐ。 — The flame flickers gently.
彼の信念は何があっても揺らがなかった。 — His conviction did not waver no matter what happened.
- ゆ.する (yu.suru) — A transitive verb meaning “to shake,” “to swing (something),” or “to rock (something).” It implies a direct action by an agent to make something move.
木を揺すって実を落とす。 — To shake the tree to drop its fruit.
彼は私の肩を優しく揺すった。 — He gently shook my shoulder.
- ゆ.さぶる (yu.saburu) — A transitive verb, similar to ゆする, but it often implies a more vigorous, violent, or impactful shaking. It can also be used metaphorically to describe deeply moving or stirring emotions.
心を揺さぶる感動。 — A deeply moving emotion.
強い風が家を揺さぶった。 — A strong wind shook the house violently.
Common Words & Compounds
To grasp the full scope of 揺, it's helpful to see how it forms various compound words, expressing nuances of movement, stability, and emotional states.
- 揺れ (yure) — sway, swing, shake (noun form of ゆれる)
この揺れは何だろう。 — What is this swaying?
- 揺れ動く (yureugoku) — to sway, to swing, to fluctuate (often implying instability or indecision)
世論は常に揺れ動いている。 — Public opinion is always fluctuating.
- 揺るぎない (yuruginai) — firm, unwavering, steadfast (often used with conviction or belief)
彼の意志は揺るぎない。 — His will is unwavering.
- 揺るぎない信念 (yuruginai shinnen) — unwavering conviction
彼女は揺るぎない信念を持っている。 — She has an unwavering conviction.
- 動揺を与える (dōyō wo ataeru) — to upset, to agitate, to cause emotional disturbance
その事件は社会に大きな動揺を与えた。 — That incident caused great unrest in society.
- 振り揺れる (furiyureru) — to swing, to sway back and forth (often implying a pendulum-like motion)
時計の針が振り揺れている。 — The clock's pendulum is swinging.
- 揺れる電車 (yureru densha) — a shaking train
揺れる電車の中で本を読むのは難しい。 — It's difficult to read a book on a shaking train.
- 心が揺れる (kokoro ga yureru) — one's heart wavers, one's emotions are stirred
彼女の言葉に私の心が揺れた。 — My heart was stirred by her words.
- 揺り籠 (yurikago) — cradle
赤ちゃんが揺り籠で眠っている。 — The baby is sleeping in the cradle.
- 揺り椅子 (yurisu) — rocking chair
彼は揺り椅子に座って本を読んでいた。 — He was reading a book in a rocking chair.
- 揺り戻し (yurimodoshi) — recoil, backlash, swing back (often a counter-reaction)
改革には必ず揺り戻しがある。 — There is always a backlash to reforms.
Example Sentences
風で木の枝が静かに揺れている。
Kaze de ki no eda ga shizuka ni yurete iru.
The tree branches are gently swaying in the wind.
地震の際には、建物が激しく揺れることがあります。
Jishin no sai ni wa, tatemono ga hageshiku yureru koto ga arimasu.
During an earthquake, buildings can shake violently.
困難な状況でも、彼の決意は揺らがなかった。
Kon'nan na jōkyō de mo, kare no ketsui wa yuraganakatta.
Even in difficult situations, his resolve did not waver.
衝撃的なニュースが世界中に動揺を与えた。
Shōgeki-teki na nyūsu ga sekaijū ni dōyō wo ataeta.
The shocking news caused agitation throughout the world.
私の心を揺さぶるような、感動的な映画でした。
Watashi no kokoro wo yusaburu yō na, kandōteki na eiga deshita.
It was a moving film that stirred my heart.
不安定な船の上で、私の足元が大きく揺らぐのを感じた。
Fuantei na fune no ue de, watashi no ashimoto ga ōkiku yuragu no wo kanjita.
On the unstable boat, I felt my footing waver greatly.
彼は寝ている子どもを優しく揺すって起こした。
Kare wa nete iru kodomo wo yasashiku yusutte okoshita.
He gently shook the sleeping child to wake them up.
経済の不安定さが、市場に大きな動揺をもたらしている。
Keizai no fuantei-sa ga, shijō ni ōkina dōyō wo motarashite iru.
Economic instability is bringing great unrest to the market.
彼女の決断は、どんな逆境にあっても揺るぎなかった。
Kanojo no ketsudan wa, donna gyakkyō ni atte mo yuruginakatta.
Her decision remained unwavering, no matter the adversity.
政権の基盤が揺らぐような大きな事件が起こった。
Seiken no kiban ga yuragu yō na ōkina jiken ga okotta.
A major incident occurred that threatened to destabilize the government's foundation.
Memory Tip
To remember 揺, consider its two main components. On the left is the 手 (hand) radical, strongly implying a physical action. On the right, the phonetic component 摇 provides both the sound and reinforces the idea of something "wobbly" or "rocking." Imagine a hand (手) gently rocking a baby in a cradle, causing it to 揺れる (sway) back and forth. Or picture a strong hand (手) vigorously 揺さぶる (shaking) a tree to make fruit fall. The hand radical offers a clear visual cue for the action. Meanwhile, the right side suggests an unsteady, oscillating motion. This combination helps link the physical act of shaking or swaying with the kanji's written form.