Meaning
及 has one core meaning: reaching. Whether describing physical extension, spreading influence, or a formal "and" joining two items in a document, every use traces back to this same idea — something extending outward until it contacts or encompasses a target.
In modern Japanese, 及 fills two main roles. As a verb stem — 及ぶ (oyobu) and 及ぼす (oyobosu) — it expresses reaching a destination, spanning a range, or pushing influence onto something else. As the formal conjunction 及び (oyobi), it means "and" or "as well as," appearing in legal statutes, official notices, and academic papers wherever と or や would feel too casual.
The etymology tells the story directly. Ancient oracle bone script depicted a person running, with a hand thrusting out from behind to catch them. That image — one entity straining forward to grasp another — became 及. The character was simplified over centuries, but that forward-reaching energy is still embedded in its three strokes.
With just 3 strokes, 及 is among the most concise Jōyō kanji. Classified as Grade 8 (secondary school), it turns up constantly in newspapers, legal codes, and corporate documents — far more often than that grade level suggests.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
One on'yomi: キュウ (kyū). It appears almost exclusively in formal Sino-Japanese compounds — the vocabulary of newspapers, legal texts, and academic writing. Recognizing these compounds is what separates passive N1 recognition from real reading fluency.
- 言及 (genkyū) — mention, reference; touching upon a topic in speech or writing, common in academic and journalistic contexts
- 普及 (fukyū) — spread, popularization; widespread adoption of technology or ideas throughout society
- 波及 (hakyū) — ripple effect; an event's consequences spreading outward to affect other areas, like waves from a stone dropped in water
- 追及 (tsuikyū) — pursuit, investigation; relentlessly pressing for truth or holding someone accountable
- 及第 (kyūdai) — passing an examination; meeting a required standard
- 及落 (kyūraku) — pass or fail; the binary outcome of an examination
- 遡及 (sokyū) — retroactivity; applying a law or judgment to events that occurred before its enactment
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
及 has three kun'yomi, each serving a distinct grammatical function. All three are necessary for full command of this kanji.
およ・ぶ (oyobu) — intransitive verb: "to reach," "to extend to," "to amount to," or "to be a match for." Used with に to mark the destination or standard being reached.
- 影響が全国に及ぶ (eikyō ga zenkoku ni oyobu) — the influence extends across the entire country
- 被害は数百人に及ぶ (higai wa sūhyakunin ni oyobu) — the damage reaches several hundred people
- 彼女の実力に及ぶ者はいない (kanojo no jitsuryoku ni oyobu mono wa inai) — there is no one who can match her ability
およ・び (oyobi) — formal conjunction: "and" or "as well as." This is the form most readers encounter first. It signals a serious, authoritative register — found in contracts, laws, and official announcements, never in casual speech.
- 国内および海外 (kokunai oyobi kaigai) — domestically and overseas
- 理事長および取締役 (rijichō oyobi torishimariyaku) — the chairperson and the board of directors
およ・ぼす (oyobosu) — transitive verb: "to exert," "to cause," "to inflict." The transitive counterpart of 及ぶ. Where 及ぶ describes influence arriving somewhere, 及ぼす describes a subject actively pushing that influence outward. Nearly always appears in the collocation 影響を及ぼす.
- 影響を及ぼす (eikyō wo oyobosu) — to exert influence, to have an effect on
- 害を及ぼす (gai wo oyobosu) — to cause harm, to inflict damage
Common Words & Compounds
及 appears across everyday usage, formal writing, legal language, and academic discourse. Key compounds, grouped by function:
Formal Conjunction:
- 及び (oyobi) — and, as well as; the formal written "and" of official documents, legal statutes, and academic writing
Core Action Verbs:
- 及ぶ (oyobu) — to reach, to extend to, to amount to; describes the scope or range something achieves
- 及ぼす (oyobosu) — to exert, to cause; actively projecting influence or effect onto an object
Sino-Japanese Compounds:
- 言及 (genkyū) — mention, allusion; referencing a topic in formal writing or speech
- 普及 (fukyū) — spread, diffusion; widespread adoption throughout society
- 波及 (hakyū) — ripple effect; an event's impact spreading outward from its source
- 追及 (tsuikyū) — pursuit, investigation; pressing for truth or accountability, used in legal and journalistic contexts
- 及第 (kyūdai) — passing an exam; meeting the required threshold
- 及落 (kyūraku) — pass-or-fail; the binary outcome of an examination
- 遡及 (sokyū) — retroactivity; applying rules to events predating their enactment — a key legal term
High-Frequency Set Phrases:
- 影響を及ぼす (eikyō wo oyobosu) — to exert influence on; one of the most common collocations with 及
- 被害が及ぶ (higai ga oyobu) — damage or harm extends to; common in news reports about disasters
- 手が届かない・及ばない (te ga todokanai / oyobanai) — beyond one's reach; something unattainable
Example Sentences
台風の影響が全国に及んだ。
Taifū no eikyō ga zenkoku ni oyonda.
The typhoon's effects reached across the entire country.
スマートフォンの普及により、日常生活が大きく変わった。
Sumātofon no fukyū ni yori, nichijō seikatsu ga ōkiku kawatta.
Due to the spread of smartphones, everyday life has changed dramatically.
その工場の廃水は周辺の環境に悪影響を及ぼしている。
Sono kōjō no haisui wa shūhen no kankyō ni akueikyō wo oyoboshite iru.
The wastewater from that factory is having a negative effect on the surrounding environment.
大統領および首相が首脳会談を行った。
Daitōryō oyobi shushō ga shunō kaidan wo okonatta.
The president and the prime minister held a summit meeting.
彼の名声は国内だけでなく、海外にも及んでいる。
Kare no meisei wa kokunai dake de naku, kaigai ni mo oyonde iru.
His fame extends not only domestically but also overseas.
先生は授業の中で、その歴史的な出来事に言及した。
Sensei wa jugyō no naka de, sono rekishiteki na dekigoto ni genkyū shita.
The teacher brought up that historical event during class.
被害は隣の県にまで及んだ。
Higai wa tonari no ken ni made oyonda.
The damage extended even to the neighboring prefecture.
彼女の実力には誰も及ばない。
Kanojo no jitsuryoku ni wa dare mo oyobanai.
No one can match her ability.
この法律の改正は過去の事例にも遡及して適用される。
Kono hōritsu no kaisei wa kako no jirei ni mo sokyū shite tekiyō sareru.
This legal amendment will be applied retroactively to past cases as well.
記者は事件の真相を追及し続けた。
Kisha wa jiken no shinsō wo tsuikyū shi tsuzuketa.
The reporter kept pressing to uncover the truth behind the incident.
Memory Tip
Picture a chase scene. Someone is sprinting forward, trying to escape — that curved stroke on the left is the fleeing figure. From behind, an arm thrusts out with fingers spread. That is the 又 component: a hand reaching forward to close the gap.
The visual energy of 及 flows entirely in one direction — forward, toward a target. A typhoon's damage reaching across the country. A law extending back to past cases. Two nouns joined with 及び, as if one hand has finally caught the other. That image of closing distance is the key to every meaning of 及.