踊 means “dance”

おどり · odori

Also: jump, leap, skip

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

おどる

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ヨウ

Taught in secondary school · 14 strokes

The story

Feet (足) that leap and surge (湧) with energy: 踊 is dance as joyful movement. The 盆踊り (Bon Odori) summer festival sees entire communities dancing in circles under paper lanterns, honoring ancestors through rhythmic celebration.

Used in 盆踊り (Bon Odori, Bon festival dance), 踊り子 (odoriko, dancer), and 踊る (odoru, to dance)

More from Music & Arts

• 奏 play (music)
• 劇 drama
• 画 painting
• 彫 carve
• 詩 poetry
• 拍 rhythm
• 弦 string (instrument)
• 笛 flute
• 鼓 drum
• 音 sound
• 曲 melody
• 唱 chant

Learn 踊 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.