Translation and Meaning of: 運 - un

The Japanese word 運[うん] is a fascinating term that carries deep meanings in the culture and daily life of Japan. If you have ever wondered what it means, how it is used, or even how to memorize it, this article will help you uncover all that. We will explore everything from the basic meaning to cultural curiosities, along with practical tips for those learning Japanese. And if you want to go further, Suki Nihongo, the best online Japanese dictionary, can be a great tool to complement your studies.

Meaning and usage of 運 [うん]

運[うん] is a word that means "luck" or "fate" in Japanese. It is often used to refer to luck in general, whether good or bad. For example, when someone is having a very lucky day, they might say they have "いい運" (ii un), while an unlucky day would be "悪い運" (warui un).

The interesting thing is that 運 is not limited to just random luck. In some contexts, it can also indicate fate or that which is beyond our control. This duality makes the word quite versatile and present in various everyday situations in Japan.

Origin and writing of the kanji 運

The kanji 運 is composed of the radical 辶, which is related to movement, and the part 軍, which refers to an army or group. Together, these elements suggest the idea of something that "moves together" or "is guided," which makes sense when we think of luck or destiny as forces that guide our lives.

According to the Kangorin dictionary, one of the most respected references in the study of kanji, 運 can also carry nuances of "transport" or "circulation," but this usage is less common in modern Japanese. Today, the word is more associated with the concept of luck and chance, especially in everyday expressions.

How 運 is perceived in Japanese culture

In Japan, the idea of 運 is deeply connected to superstitions and rituals. Many Japanese people believe that luck can be influenced by specific actions, such as visiting temples on New Year's or carrying lucky charms (omamori). This practical view of luck differs somewhat from the Western notion, where chance is often seen as something entirely random.

Another curious aspect is that 運 appears frequently in games and competitions. Phrases like "運も実力のうち" (un mo jitsuryoku no uchi), which means "luck is also a skill," show how the concept is integrated even in situations where personal merit is valued. This expression is so popular that it even appears in animes and dramas as a reminder that luck can make a difference.

Tips for memorizing and using 運[うん]

An effective way to remember the kanji 運 is to associate its radical 辶 (movement) with the idea that luck "comes and goes." The part 軍 can be remembered as an "army" of opportunities that arise in life. This visual association helps to avoid confusion with other similar kanjis.

To practice using the word, try creating simple sentences like "今日は運がいい" (kyou wa un ga ii - today I’m lucky) or "運を試す" (un o tamesu - test your luck). Using 運 in real contexts, such as when playing a game or commenting on a random event, also helps to internalize its meaning naturally.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 運命 (Unmei) - Destiny, luck, fate
• 運転 (Unten) - Driving, steering, operating (a vehicle)
• 運賃 (Unchin) - Rate, transportation cost
• 運動 (Undou) - Exercise, movement (physical)
• 運営 (Unei) - Administration, management (of an organization)
• 運送 (Unsou) - Transport, shipping (of goods)
• 幸運 (Kouun) - Luck, good luck (emphasis on blessing or favor)
• 運用 (Unyou) - Use, application (of resources or skills)
• 運河 (Ungawa) - Canal, navigable waterway
• 運命的 (Unmeiteki) - Destiny, fate (with connotation of inevitability)

運

Romaji: un
Kana: うん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: fortune; luck

Meaning in English: fortune;luck

Definition: The way things are progressing.

Example Sentences - (運) un

See below some example sentences:

幸運を祈ります。

Kouun wo inorimasu

I wish you good luck.

• 幸運 - luck, happiness
• を - object particle
• 祈ります - pray

彼は車を運転中に猫を轢いてしまった。

Kare wa kuruma o untenchuu ni neko o hikikatte shimatta

He ran over a cat while driving.

He ran over a cat while driving a car.

• 彼 - pronoun that means "he"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "he"
• 車 - noun that means "car"
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "car"
• 運転中 - compound noun that means "during driving"
• に - particle indicating the moment when the action took place, in this case, "during the driving"
• 猫 - noun that means "cat"
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "cat"
• 轢いてしまった - compound verb that means "ran over/accidentally ran over"

恩恵を受けることは幸運なことです。

Onkei wo ukeru koto wa kouun na koto desu

Receiving blessings is a luck.

It is the luck to benefit.

• 恩恵 - benefit, grace
• を - direct object particle
• 受ける - Receive, accept
• こと - verb noun
• は - Topic particle
• 幸運 - luck, happiness
• な - adjective indicating state
• こと - verb noun
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

招くは幸運をもたらす。

Maneku wa kouun wo motarasu

Inviting this brings good luck.

• 招く - "Invite" or "attract"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 幸運 - noun that means "luck" or "fortune"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• もたらす - verb that means "to bring" or "to provide"

洗濯物を干すのはいい運動になる。

Sentaku mono wo hosu no wa ii undou ni naru

Hanging clothes out to dry is good exercise.

Drying clothes is good exercise.

• 洗濯物 - clothes to wash
• を - object particle
• 干す - dry
• のは - Topic particle
• いい - good
• 運動 - exercise
• に - target particle
• なる - become

海運は国際貿易にとって重要な役割を果たしています。

Kaiun wa kokusai bōeki ni totte jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu

Maritime transport plays an important role in international trade.

The transport of water plays an important role in international trade.

• 海運 (kaigun) - Maritime transport
• 国際貿易 (kokusai boueki) - international trade
• にとって (ni totte) - for
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 役割 (yakuwari) - role/function
• を果たしています (o hatashite imasu) - performs

私は教習所で運転を学んでいます。

Watashi wa kyōshūjo de unten o manande imasu

I'm learning to drive at driving school.

I'm studying driving at the driving school.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 教習所 (kyōshūjo) - Driving school
• で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 運転 (unten) - driving, drive
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
• 学んでいます (manandeimasu) - verb meaning "I'm learning"

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.

貨物を運ぶ船が港に入ってきました。

Kamotsu wo hakobu fune ga minato ni haitte kimashita

A ship carrying cargo has just entered the port.

A ship carrying cargo entered the harbor.

• 貨物 (ka-motsu) - cargo, merchandise
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 運ぶ (ha-kobu) - carry
• 船 (fune) - ship, boat
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 港 (minato) - port
• に (ni) - target particle
• 入ってきました (haitte kimashita) - entered