Meaning
The kanji 粒 (ryuu, tsubu) primarily means 'grain,' 'drop,' or 'particle.' It refers to small, discrete, often roundish items, whether naturally occurring or man-made. Think of individual grains of rice, tiny drops of water, or small particles of sand. It also functions as a counter for these small, singular entities, making it a highly useful character in Japanese.
The kanji's visual form provides a clear insight into its meaning. 粒 is a phono-semantic compound. This means it combines a component that hints at its meaning with another that suggests its pronunciation. On the left side, we have 米 (kome), which means "rice." Rice, typically consumed as individual grains, immediately brings to mind the core concept of a "grain" or "particle." This radical directly conveys the semantic aspect of 粒.
On the right side is 立 (tatsu), meaning "to stand" or "to set up." While 立 contributes to the sound (リュウ is phonetically close to リツ, a common on'yomi for 立), it also offers a visual interpretation. Imagine individual grains standing distinct from one another, emphasizing their singularity. Together, 米 (rice) and 立 (stand) effectively convey the idea of distinct, individual grains or particles.
This kanji has 11 strokes and is taught in the 6th grade in Japanese schools, making it part of the jouyou kanji list. It is officially designated as an N2 level kanji in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, indicating its importance and frequency in everyday Japanese communication.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary on'yomi for 粒 is リュウ (RYUU).
- リュウ (RYUU)
This reading is frequently encountered in compound words, especially in technical or formal contexts. It refers to particles, granules, or specific types of grains, often appearing in scientific or industrial terminology.
- 粒子 (ryūshi) — particle (a very common term in science and physics)
- 顆粒 (karyū) — granule (small grain-like particles, often used for medicine or food)
- 微粒子 (biryūshi) — fine particle (extremely small particles, like dust)
- 穀粒 (kokuryū) — grain of cereal (refers to grains of various cereals)
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The primary kun'yomi for 粒 is つぶ (tsubu).
- つぶ (tsubu)
This is the most common native Japanese reading and is used for individual grains, drops, or small particles. It is often used as a suffix for counting small, round objects or as a standalone noun. When used as a noun, つぶ refers to a single piece of something small and often spherical or globular. It evokes a more direct and everyday sense of an individual unit than its on'yomi counterparts.
- 米粒 (kometsubu) — grain of rice (a very common everyday expression)
- 雨粒 (amatsubu) — raindrop (literally "heaven grain" or "rain grain")
- 大粒 (ootsubu) — large grain/drop (describes something with large individual units, e.g., large hailstones)
- 小粒 (kotsubu) — small grain/drop (describes something with small individual units)
- 一粒 (hitotsubu) — one grain/drop (counter for small, round objects)
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 粒 appears in many words and compounds, frequently relating to the size, quantity, or nature of small, discrete units. Learning these compounds helps reinforce your understanding of 粒's core meaning.
- 粒子 (ryūshi) — particle (e.g., in physics or chemistry)
- 顆粒 (karyū) — granule (often used for granular substances like powdered medicine)
- 米粒 (kometsubu) — grain of rice (a staple food item, used frequently)
- 雨粒 (amatsubu) — raindrop (a common poetic and descriptive term)
- 大粒 (ootsubu) — large grain/drop (describing large berries, tears, or hailstones)
- 小粒 (kotsubu) — small grain/drop (describing small fruits, tears, or candy)
- 一粒 (hitotsubu) — one grain/drop (a general counter for small round things)
- 粒々 (tsubutsubu) — granular, lumpy, grainy (a mimetic word describing texture)
- 粒選り (tsubueri) — carefully selected, hand-picked (choosing the best individual pieces)
- 粒揃い (tsubuzoroi) — uniform, well-matched (all items are of similar good quality or size)
- 水滴一粒 (suiteki hitotsubu) — a single drop of water (specific use as a counter)
- 宝石一粒 (houseki hitotsubu) — a single jewel/gem (emphasizing individuality)
- 麦粒 (bakuryū) — grain of wheat/barley (specific type of grain)
- 豆粒 (mametsubu) — a bean, a small particle (often used to describe something very tiny)
Example Sentences
お皿に米粒一つ残さず食べました。
Osara ni kometsubu hitotsu nokosazu tabemashita.
I ate everything on the plate, not leaving a single grain of rice.
雨粒が窓を叩く音が聞こえます。
Amatsubu ga mado o tataku oto ga kikoemasu.
I can hear the sound of raindrops hitting the window.
この薬は顆粒タイプなので飲みやすいです。
Kono kusuri wa karyū taipu nanode nomiyasui desu.
This medicine is granular, so it's easy to take.
砂漠には数えきれないほどの砂の粒があります。
Sabaku ni wa kazoekirenai hodo no suna no tsubu ga arimasu.
There are countless grains of sand in the desert.
朝露の粒が葉っぱの上で輝いています。
Asatsuyu no tsubu ga happa no ue de kagayaiteimasu.
Morning dew drops are sparkling on the leaves.
彼は大粒の涙を流して泣きました。
Kare wa ootsubu no namida o nagashite nakimashita.
He cried, shedding large drops of tears.
顕微鏡でしか見えない微小な粒子が存在する。
Kenbikyou de shika mienai bishō na ryūshi ga sonzai suru.
There are minute particles that can only be seen with a microscope.
このぶどうは一粒一粒が甘くて美味しい。
Kono budō wa hitotsubu hitotsubu ga amakute oishii.
Each and every grape is sweet and delicious.
彼の作品はどれも粒揃いで素晴らしい。
Kare no sakuhin wa dore mo tsubuzoroi de subarashii.
All of his works are uniformly excellent and wonderful.
Memory Tip
To remember 粒, visualize its components: 米 (rice) and 立 (stand). Imagine a single grain of rice standing upright, distinct from all others. This image effectively captures the essence of 粒: an individual grain, drop, or particle. Think of a farmer carefully picking out each perfect rice grain, or a scientist observing a tiny particle isolated on a slide. The "rice" part gives you the meaning of a "grain," and the "standing" part emphasizes its individuality. This simple story helps connect the visual form to both its meaning and its primary kun'yomi, つぶ (tsubu), for individual small pieces.