One Hiragana, Short Japanese Words Part 7: やゆよわ

A good way to start learning Japanese is through Short Japanese words. Last time we learned まみむめも This is the next part of a series to introduce Hiragana by teaching words that are only one Hiragana character long.

矢(や) – Arrow

矢や is simply arrow in Japanese.

矢やを射いる：やをいる
to shoot an arrow

湯(ゆ) – Hot Water

In English we can say hot water for the water we would make for tea or coffee. Or we could say bathwater for water in the tub. In Japanese, there is a different word 湯ゆ  which means hot water.  This word only refers to hot water and would not be used for cold water. Usually, it is said with the polite prefix 「お」”o” making it  お湯ゆ. The word for normal water would be 水(みず)

https://japaneseuniverse.com/2024/02/18/pac-man-in-japaneseconcepts-behind-development-to-global-icon/

世(よ) – The World, Society

世よ is a word for society or the world. It can also used to talk about the afterlife:

この世よ: this world 
あの世よ: the afterlife

輪(わ) – Circle, Loop

The word for circle or loop in Japanese is 輪わ (わ).

輪わになる: form a circle
輪わを描く(わをかく): draw a circle

Resources

• 輪