Translation and Meaning of: 占う - uranau

If you've ever wondered how the Japanese talk about predicting the future or guessing something, the word 占う (うらなう) is the key. In this article, you will discover not only the meaning and translation but also the fascinating origin of this verb, its use in everyday life, and even tips for memorizing the kanji effortlessly. Here at Suki Nihongo, you can also find practical examples to include in your Anki or other spaced repetition systems — because memorizing alone doesn't have to be a mystery.

What makes 占う special? In addition to appearing in contexts like horoscopes and fortune-telling, it carries a curious history behind its ideogram. Do Japanese people really believe in predictions? And how does this word connect with others related to divination? Let’s uncover all of this without further ado.

The Origin and Etymology of 占う

The kanji 占 is one of those cases where the pictogram tells a story. Originally, it represented a crack in a bone or a turtle shell used in divination rituals in ancient China — yes, those where bones were thrown into the fire and the cracks were interpreted to "read" the future. Over time, the character evolved to symbolize any type of prediction or forecast, maintaining its connection to the supernatural.

In the Japanese language, うらなう inherited this meaning but with a broader touch. While in Chinese the character can be associated with occupying or monopolizing (as in 占有), in Japan it became tied to the idea of predicting. Interestingly, the radical 卜 (which means divination) appears in other related kanjis, such as 卦 (division used in the I Ching). A tip to memorize? Think of 口 (mouth) underneath the 卜 — as if someone is "speaking" what the cracks reveal.

How the Japanese Use 占う in Their Daily Lives

Unlike Portuguese, where "adivinhar" can be used even for silly guesses, 占う carries a more serious weight. It appears in magazine horoscopes (星座占い), tarot readings (タロット占い), and even in software that "predicts" romantic compatibility. But beware: in informal contexts, young people may use the verb ironically, like "彼の顔で未来が占える" ("you can predict the future from his face"), implying that his facial expression reveals everything.

A quick Google search shows that many Japanese people search for things like "占い 当たる" (predictions that come true) or "占い師 おすすめ" (recommended fortune tellers). This reveals a real cultural interest — it's no wonder that Shinto shrines sell omikuji (fortunes) and that TV programs have regular segments on astrology. On the other hand, there are also those who say "占いを信じますか？" ("do you believe in fortune-telling?"), showing the duality between belief and skepticism.

Pictogram and Tips to Never Forget Again

Looking at the kanji 占, one can note that it is relatively simple: a total of 7 strokes. The top part (卜) looks like a cross or an inclined "T" — precisely the representation of the cracks in the oracle bones. The 口 below can symbolize both the container where the bones were burned and the mouth of the diviner announcing the result. An infallible technique for memorizing? Associate the 卜 with an arrow pointing towards the future and the 口 with the "mouth to mouth" of predictions.

Do you want a practical example to solidify? Imagine the scene: an old lady at a festival stall, with a crystal ball and cards in hand, saying "あなたの運命を占いましょう" ("I will read your destiny"). This cliché image helps to remember that 占う is not about random guesses, but about a ritual — even if today it is done more for fun than for superstition. And if you visit Japan, notice how many department stores have a little corner dedicated to 占い books near women's magazines.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 占う

• 占う - Ichidan verb regular thematic vocalism
• 占い - Noun form
• 占いた - simple past
• 占います - polished gift
• 占っています - Present Continuous

Synonyms and similar words

• 卜める (Bomeru) - Predict, guess
• 卜みる (Bomiiru) - See through divination
• 占いする (Uranai suru) - Make a prediction, practice divination.
• 占める (Shimeru) - Occupy, maintain a position (does not refer to guessing)

占う

Romaji: uranau
Kana: うらなう
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: to foresee

Meaning in English: to forecast;to predict

Definition: To predict the future or destiny.

Example Sentences - (占う) uranau

See below some example sentences:

私は明日の運勢を占う。

Watashi wa ashita no unsei wo uranau

I will predict my luck tomorrow.

I will tell you the fortune of tomorrow.

• 私 - personal pronoun meaning "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "me".
• 明日 - a noun meaning "tomorrow" in Japanese.
• の - possession particle indicating that "tomorrow" is the object of the action.
• 運勢 - a noun meaning "luck" or "fate" in Japanese.
• を - object particle indicating that "luck" is the object of the action.
• 占う - verb meaning "to guess" or "to predict" in Japanese.