尿

にょう

urine

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"尿" (にょう) specifically refers to urine, the liquid waste excreted by the kidneys. It is a formal and medical term often used in healthcare contexts such as hospitals and clinics.

Common Contexts

You will frequently encounter "尿" in medical examinations, health reports, and scientific discussions about bodily functions. It is less common in casual conversation, where people might use softer or more colloquial terms.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 尿検査 (にょうけんさ): urine test, used in medical checkups.
  • 尿の色 (にょうのいろ): color of urine, important for health diagnosis.
  • 尿意 (にょうい): the urge to urinate, a common expression in daily life.

Usage Notes

When using "尿," the tone is usually clinical or formal. Avoid using it in casual or polite conversation about bodily functions; instead, use expressions like "おしっこ" for children or informal settings. A common learner mistake is confusing "尿" with "尿道" (にょうどう, urethra), which refers to the urinary tract, not the urine itself.

Example Sentences

いしゃはかんじゃのにょうをけんさした。

The doctor examined the patient's urine.

にょうのいろがこいとすいぶんぶそくのかのうせいがあります。

If the urine is dark, it may indicate dehydration.

にょうけんさでとうにょうびょうのちょうこうがみつかった。

Signs of diabetes were found in the urine test.