Japanese symbol for “reason”

理由

りゆう

Romaji: riyuu

reason; grounds; pretext; excuse

In Japanese, reason is 理由, read りゆう (riyuu).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

n reason; grounds; pretext; excuse; motive

Written forms: 理由. Readings: りゆう、わけ.

Kanji and stroke order

理

logic, arrangement, reason

on: リ
kun: ことわり

11 strokes · JLPT 3

由

wherefore, a reason

on: ユ、ユウ、ユイ
kun: よし、よ.る

5 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “reason”

Word	Reading	Meaning
訳	わけ wake	reason; cause; grounds
由	よし yoshi	reason; significance; cause
理	り ri	reason; principle; logic
理性	りせい risei	reason; reasoning power; (one's) sense
根拠	こんきょ konkyo	basis; grounds; foundation

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
理解	りかい rikai	understanding; comprehension; appreciation
無理	むり muri	unreasonable; unnatural; unjustifiable
管理	かんり kanri	control; management (e.g. of a business)
料理	りょうり ryouri	cooking; cookery; cuisine
処理	しょり shori	processing; dealing with; treatment
自由	じゆう jiyuu	freedom; liberty
経由	けいゆ keiyu	going through; going via; going by way of
由来	ゆらい yurai	origin; source; history

See also: Chinese symbol for “reason”.

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.