也
KanjiJLPT N1
To Be (Classical)Radical: Beaver
Mnemonic
The classical kanji for to be.
Details
The keyword for 也 is to be (classical). This kanji functions as a classical copula in ancient Chinese and classical Japanese, serving a role similar to the modern verb "to be." It was commonly placed at the end of sentences in classical texts to assert or affirm a statement, much like a grammatical particle indicating "it is so." While rarely used with this meaning in modern Japanese, it survives as a component in other kanji and is familiar from classical literature and philosophical writings.
- On'yomi
- や、え
- Kun'yomi
- なり、か、また