Kanji meanings › Ball
Kanji for Ball
Japanese has more than one kanji connected to “ball”: 毬、鞠. Each has its own feeling. Compare their meanings, readings and the names they appear in.
ball
A ball, as in temari (手毬), beautifully embroidered traditional balls.
11 strokes On reading キュウ (kyuu) Kun reading いが、まり (iga, mari) JLPT N1
Dictionary meanings: burr, ball
Readings used for names on Nazuke: mari
In Japan it appears in about 67 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in girls’ names.
Names written with 毬: Mariela 毬英良 · Marilia 毬理愛 · Marisol 毬爽瑠 · Mariella 毬英良 · Marijana 毬弥奈 · Rosemary 路鶴毬 · Marianela 毬歩音楽 · Mariel 毬英瑠 · Marybeth 毬平日 · Maricarmen 毬夏瑠芽 · Marius 毬羽寿 · Maribel 毬平琉 and 4 more
ball
A traditional ball, as in kemari, a game of the old court.
17 strokes On reading キク、キュウ (kiku, kyuu) Kun reading まり (mari) JLPT N1
Dictionary meanings: ball
Readings used for names on Nazuke: kiku, mari
In Japan it appears in about 95 given names in the JMnedict name dictionary, mostly in girls’ names.
Names written with 鞠: Mariam 鞠愛夢 · Mariel 鞠瑛瑠 · Marius 鞠宇寿 · Maribel 鞠平瑠 · Maricel 鞠世琉 · Maritza 鞠登彩 · Maricela 鞠世良 · Marielle 鞠英玲 · Mariette 鞠瑛斗 · Marilena 鞠礼奈 · Marilene 鞠玲音 · Marybeth 鞠平珠 and 11 more
Thinking of a tattoo? A single kanji like these is meaningful on its own, but ask a native speaker to check the exact form and stroke order before you commit.
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