• 矢印やじるし — arrow symbol
• 矢先やさき — arrow tip / the very moment
• 弓矢ゆみや — bow and arrow
• 矢車やぐるま — pinwheel / windmill
• 毒矢どくや — poisoned arrow
• 矢表やおもて — target of criticism

More examples ▼

矢 is a pictograph of an arrow — the shaft, the pointed tip, and the feathered tail are all visible in its shape. Because arrows travel fast and straight, 矢 can also suggest “directness” or “speed.”

In modern Japanese, you’ll see it in practical words like 矢印 (arrow sign) and expressive phrases like 矢先 (the very moment) or 矢面 (being in the line of fire).