Meaning
The N1 kanji 抑 (yoku) primarily means "to suppress," "to restrain," "to hold down," or "to check." It conveys a sense of forceful control or limitation. While its main use is related to suppression, it also has an older, significant meaning of "in the first place" or "originally," especially with its kun'yomi reading そもそも.
Etymologically, 抑 is a 形声文字 (keisei moji), or phono-semantic character. It consists of the radical 扌 (tehen), meaning "hand," on the left, and the phonetic component 卩 (fushi or setsu) on the right. The 卩 component can represent a kneeling person or a seal/knot. Here, it functions phonetically to suggest the sound 'yoku' and semantically to imply pressing down, restraining, or controlling. Therefore, the kanji visually depicts using one's "hand" (扌) to "press down" or "restrain" (卩) something or someone. This origin perfectly connects the kanji's visual form to its core meanings of suppressing and holding back. 抑 is a Jōyō kanji with 7 strokes. While it doesn't belong to a specific elementary school grade, learners usually encounter it at an advanced level.
Readings
Like many kanji, 抑 has both On'yomi (Chinese-derived) and Kun'yomi (native Japanese) readings. Each is used in different contexts.
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The main On'yomi for 抑 is:
ヨク (YOKU): This reading frequently appears in compound words, conveying abstract meanings related to suppression, restraint, or pressure.
抑制 (yokusei) — suppression, restraint, control. You'll often find this term in scientific, psychological, or economic discussions to describe controlling or holding something back.
抑圧 (yokuatsu) — repression, suppression. This term suggests a stronger, more forceful act of putting something down, particularly in psychological or political contexts.
抑揚 (yokuyou) — intonation, accent. Literally 'suppress and raise,' referring to the rise and fall of the voice in speech.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings are often used for verbs and adverbs, carrying more direct, everyday connotations.
おさえる (osaeru): This transitive verb means "to suppress," "to hold down," "to restrain," or "to check." You'll encounter it frequently in everyday Japanese conversations.
感情を抑える (kanjou wo osaeru) — to suppress one's emotions.
声を抑える (koe wo osaeru) — to lower or muffle one's voice.
物価を抑える (bukka wo osaeru) — to keep prices down, to curb inflation.
おさえ (osae): As a noun or part of other compound verbs, it often means "a check," "a restraint," or "a weight to hold something down."
抑えが効く (osae ga kiku) — to be effective in controlling or restraining something.
抑え込む (osaekomu) — to pin down, to hold down (physically or metaphorically).
そもそも (somosomo): This adverb means "in the first place," "to begin with," or "originally." Although it might seem less intuitive compared to the "suppress" meaning, its historical usage comes from the idea of "checking back to the origin."
抑も、彼は誰なのか？ (somosomo, kare wa dare nano ka?) — In the first place, who is he?
抑も、その話は間違っている (somosomo, sono hanashi wa machigatteiru) — To begin with, that story is wrong.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 抑 forms various words and compounds, showcasing its diverse applications in expressing control, restraint, and origins.
Related to Suppression & Control:
抑制 (yokusei) — suppression, restraint, control. Often used for self-control or general restriction.
抑圧 (yokuatsu) — repression, suppression. Implies a stronger, often unjust, force.
抑止 (yokushi) — deterrence, check, curb. Specifically refers to preventing something from happening.
抑え込む (osaekomu) — to pin down, to hold down, to overpower. Can be physical or metaphorical.
制約と抑制 (seiyaku to yokusei) — restrictions and controls.
Related to Emotions & Physical Actions:
感情を抑える (kanjou wo osaeru) — to suppress one's emotions.
怒りを抑える (ikari wo osaeru) — to suppress anger.
笑いを抑える (warai wo osaeru) — to suppress laughter.
声を抑える (koe wo osaeru) — to lower one's voice, to muffle.
抑え付ける (osaetsukeru) — to press down, to hold down, to compel.
Related to Intonation & Basis:
抑揚 (yokuyou) — intonation, accent.
抑々 (somosomo) — in the first place, originally, to begin with. This adverb frequently questions the fundamental premise of a situation or statement.
Example Sentences
彼は感情を抑えるのが得意だ。
Kare wa kanjou wo osaeru no ga tokui da.
He is good at suppressing his emotions.
政府は物価の上昇を抑制しようとしている。
Seifu wa bukka no joushou wo yokusei shiyou to shiteiru.
The government is trying to curb the rise in prices.
怒りを抑えきれず、彼は大声を出した。
Ikari wo osaekirezu, kare wa oogoe wo dashita.
Unable to suppress his anger, he shouted loudly.
この薬には痛みを抑える効果があります。
Kono kusuri ni wa itami wo osaeru kouka ga arimasu.
This medicine has the effect of suppressing pain.
抑々、その計画は実現するのだろうか。
Somosomo, sono keikaku wa jitsugen suru nodarou ka.
In the first place, will that plan ever be realized?
警察は暴動を抑圧するために出動した。
Keisatsu wa boudou wo yokuatsu suru tame ni shutsudou shita.
The police were dispatched to suppress the riot.
彼は話の抑揚に特徴がある。
Kare wa hanashi no yokuyou ni tokuchou ga aru.
His way of speaking has a distinctive intonation.
子供を抑え込んで、無理に薬を飲ませた。
Kodomo wo osaekonde, muri ni kusuri wo nomaseta.
They held the child down and forced him to take the medicine.
過度な食欲を抑えることが必要だ。
Kado na shokuyoku wo osaeru koto ga hitsuyou da.
It is necessary to curb excessive appetite.
抑止力は平和を保つ上で重要だ。
Yokushiryoku wa heiwa wo tamotsu ue de juuyou da.
Deterrent power is important for maintaining peace.
Memory Tip
To remember 抑, break it down by its components. On the left, you'll find 扌 (tehen), the "hand" radical, clearly showing an action done by hand. On the right is 卩, which can resemble a kneeling person or a seal/knot. Picture using your hand (扌) to press down firmly on a kneeling person or to hold something tightly, as if secured with a knot or seal (卩). This imagery reinforces the core meanings of "suppress," "restrain," or "hold down." For the reading そもそも, which means "in the first place" or "originally," remember it as a distinct, historically rooted usage. You can think of it as "going back to the original point or fact," before any 'suppressing' or changes occurred.