吉

音読おんよみ: キチ・キツ

訓読くんよみ: よし・よ

画数かくすう: 6

部首ぶしゅ: くち(口)

Meaning

Good Fortune / Auspicious / Lucky / Joy.

  • きち — good luck; good omen
  • 大吉だいきち — great fortune (omikuji category)
  • 中吉ちゅうきち — middle fortune (omikuji category)
  • 吉日きちじつ — auspicious day
  • 吉報きっぽう — good news
  • 吉祥きっしょう — auspiciousness; good omen
  • 吉兆きっちょう — lucky sign; portent of good
  • 不吉ふきつ — ill omen; unlucky

combines a “top mark” above (mouth), often explained as an auspicious proclamation or a ritually “good” utterance. From there comes the sense “good fortune; lucky; auspicious.” You’ll see it everywhere from shrine lots (おみくじ) to phrases like 吉日きちじつ.

Note: The on-yomi alternates between キチ and キツ in compounds (e.g., 吉報きっぽう, 不吉ふきつ). This is a common sound change for ease of pronunciation.

Pair with (auspicious sign) to remember 吉祥きっしょう — “good omen.” Think of a clear announcement (口) that something lucky is coming.

Good Sign

吉兆きっちょう — a lucky sign; an auspicious omen

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