以 means “from, beyond”

い · i

Also: by means of, because, in view of, compared with

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

もって

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

イ

JLPT N4 · Taught in grade 4 · 5 strokes

The story

An ancient figure carrying a tool: taking something as your starting point. 以 draws a line in the sand: everything 以上 stands above it, everything 以下 below, everything 以外 outside it.

Used in 以上 (ijou, more than), 以下 (ika, less than), and 以外 (igai, except for)

More from Compass & Position

• 区 ward
• 北 north
• 所 place
• 西 west
• 南 south
• 図 map
• 右 right
• 左 left
• 中 inside
• 後 behind
• 前 front
• 上 above

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

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