Meaning
The kanji 受 (うける / ジュ) is a key character in Japanese, primarily conveying the meanings of 'to receive,' 'to accept,' 'to undergo,' 'to suffer,' or 'to catch.' It describes an action where something comes towards you, and you take it in or experience it.
This kanji is essential for understanding situations where someone or something is on the 'receiving end' of an action. For example, you might use it when talking about receiving a letter, accepting an offer, undergoing an exam, or even suffering damage.
Its etymological origin is often explained as an ideogram depicting hands receiving something. Some interpret the top part as a simplified form of 爪, representing a hand or claws reaching down. Paired with the bottom part (又, the radical for 'right hand'), it illustrates the act of receiving or taking something.
Over time, the form has been stylized, but the core idea of someone or something being acted upon and taking in remains central to its meaning. Its visual structure clearly conveys this concept: an item being transferred from an upper position to a lower, receiving position. This passive aspect, in contrast to actively taking, is key. Consisting of 8 strokes, 受 is taught in the 3rd grade of Japanese elementary school, making it a commonly encountered character in many words and expressions.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi reading of 受 is primarily ジュ (ju). You'll find this reading extensively in compound words. These often involve 受 as part of a larger noun or verb, expressing reception, acceptance, or undergoing something in a more formal or administrative context.
- 受信 (jushin) — receiving a message/signal. This refers to the act of receiving an electronic message, such as an email or a radio signal.
- 受験 (juken) — taking an examination. This compound specifically denotes the act of sitting for an exam, rather than just studying for it.
- 受賞 (jushō) — receiving an award/prize. This is used when someone is honored with a prize or recognition.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings of 受 are う.ける (u.keru) and う.かる (u.karu). These native Japanese verbs are frequently used in daily conversation, directly expressing actions of receiving or passing.
受ける (ukeru) — This is a transitive verb with a broad range of meanings, including 'to receive,' 'to accept,' 'to undergo,' 'to catch,' or 'to suffer.' It's incredibly common in everyday situations. For example:
電話を受ける (denwa o ukeru - to answer the phone)
教えを受ける (oshie o ukeru - to receive instruction)
試験を受ける (shiken o ukeru - to take an exam)
損害を受ける (songai o ukeru - to suffer damage)
ボールを受ける (bōru o ukeru - to catch a ball)
受かる (ukaru) — This is an intransitive verb meaning 'to pass (an exam)' or 'to be accepted.' It's typically used when someone successfully clears a challenge, most often an examination or an application process. For instance, 試験に受かる (shiken ni ukaru - to pass an exam).
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 受 appears in many important Japanese vocabulary words. Learning these compounds will greatly enhance your comprehension and ability to use Japanese naturally.
- 受付 (uketsuke) — Reception desk; acceptance. This term can refer to the physical place where applications or visitors are received (e.g., ホテルの受付 - hotel reception) or the act of accepting them (e.g., 申し込みの受付 - application acceptance).
- 受信 (jushin) — Receiving (a message, signal). As mentioned, this is about getting data or signals, often electronically.
- 受理 (juri) — Acceptance; receiving (e.g., of an application). It implies official acceptance of something.
- 受け取り (uketori) — Receipt; receiving. This can refer to the act of receiving something physically or the paper document confirming receipt.
- 受諾 (judaku) — Acceptance; consent. This is a more formal term for agreeing to something, like a proposal.
- 受験生 (jukensei) — Examination candidate. This refers to a student who is preparing for or taking an entrance exam.
- 受け入れる (ukeireru) — To accept; to receive; to agree. This verb describes the act of welcoming or acknowledging something.
- 受講 (jukō) — Taking a lecture/course. This means to attend or register for a class.
- 受傷 (jushō) — Suffering injury; being wounded. This compound describes the state of being injured.
- 受動 (judō) — Passive; passive voice. This term is used in grammar to describe a passive construction.
- 受益 (jueki) — Receiving benefit. This implies gaining an advantage or profit from something.
- 受け身 (ukemi) — Defensive posture; passive attitude; falling technique (in martial arts). It can also mean to be in a receiving position.
Example Sentences
新しいメールを受信しました。
Atarashii mēru o jushin shimashita.
I received a new email.
彼は大学の入学試験を受けました。
Kare wa daigaku no nyūgaku shiken o ukemashita.
He took the university entrance exam.
私はそのプレゼントを喜んで受け取りました。
Watashi wa sono purezento o yorokonde uketorimashita.
I gladly accepted the present.
彼女は医者の診察を受けました。
Kanojo wa isha no shinsatsu o ukemashita.
She received a medical examination from the doctor.
申し込みの受付は明日までです。
Mōshikomi no uketsuke wa ashita made desu.
Applications will be accepted until tomorrow.
多大な損害を受けました。
Tadai na songai o ukemashita.
We suffered significant damage.
面接に受かって就職が決まりました。
Mensetsu ni ukatte shūshoku ga kimarimashita.
I passed the interview and got the job.
彼はその批判を受け入れました。
Kare wa sono hihan o ukeiremashita.
He accepted the criticism.
この賞を受賞できてとても光栄です。
Kono shō o jushō dekite totemo kōei desu.
I am deeply honored to receive this award.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 受, visualize it as two hands (又 at the bottom, and the top part resembling hands or fingers) reaching out to receive a gift or an object. Imagine the top stroke and its components as an item being handed down, and the bottom part (又, a common radical for 'hand') as the hand accepting it. Alternatively, think of it as a person (the vertical stroke in the middle) with two hands (又 and the top component) open to receive something. This imagery of being on the 'receiving end' or 'accepting' will solidify your understanding of its core meaning. Every time you see 受, picture an open hand ready to take something in.