子
child · sign of the rat · 11PM-1AM · first sign of Chinese zodiac
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Pictograph of a baby with arms spread wide.
Symbolism
Child, future, possibility. First of zodiac, represents new beginnings.
Anime & Manga
鋼の錬金術師
Fullmetal Alchemist(2001)
Depicts brotherly bonds. Story of Edward who became a state alchemist despite being a 'child.'
View on Amazon →Games
マザー
EarthBound/Mother(1989)
Developer: Nintendo
RPG with 'children' as protagonists. Shigesato Itoi's unique worldview.
View on Amazon →Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
一子相伝
いっしそうでん
transmission of the secrets of an art, craft, trade or learning from father to only one child; transmission of the secrets of an art, craft, trade or learning from father to only one child
一本調子
いっぽんぢょうし
monotone; monotonous; dull; monotone
君子豹変
くんしひょうへん
the wise readily adapt themselves to changed circumstances; the wise are quick to acknowledge their mistakes and correct them; the wise make no scruple in suddenly changing their demeanor; the wise readily adapt themselves to changed circumstances
獅子奮迅
ししふんじん
furious (energy, battle, etc.); frenzied (work, activity, etc.); ferocious; furious (energy, battle, etc.)
杓子定規
しゃくしじょうぎ
strict; hidebound; inflexible; strict
放蕩息子
ほうとうむすこ
good-for-nothing son; profligate son; good-for-nothing son
大和撫子
やまとなでしこ
large pink (Dianthus superbus var. longicalycinus); woman who displays the feminine virtues of old Japan; large pink (Dianthus superbus var. longicalycinus)
子々孫々
ししそんそん
one's descendants; one's offspring; posterity; one's descendants
金襴緞子
きんらんどんす
gold-brocaded satin damask; gold-brocaded satin damask
才子佳人
さいしかじん
talented man and a beautiful woman; well-matched pair; wit and beauty; talented man and a beautiful woman
父子相伝
ふしそうでん
transmission of the secrets of an art, craft, trade or learning from father to son; transmission of the secrets of an art, craft, trade or learning from father to son
軽薄才子
けいはくさいし
shallow, glib and obsequious person; shallow, glib and obsequious person
妻子眷属
さいしけんぞく
one's wife, children, and other relations; one's whole family; one's wife, children, and other relations
才子多病
さいしたびょう
talented people tend to be of delicate constitution; men of genius tend to be of delicate health; whom the gods love die young; talented people tend to be of delicate constitution
獅子身中
しししんちゅう
treacherous friend; snake in one's bosom; treacherous insider; treacherous friend
諸子百家
しょしひゃっか
Hundred Schools of Thought (during China's Spring and Autumn period and Warring States period); Hundred Schools of Thought (during China's Spring and Autumn period and Warring States period)
聖人君子
せいじんくんし
person of lofty virtue; man of noble character; perfect person; person of lofty virtue
乱臣賊子
らんしんぞくし
rebels against one's lord and one's parents; rebellious (treacherous) subject; traitor; rebels against one's lord and one's parents
杓子果報
しゃくしかほう
coming by ample servings of delicious food; being blessed with good fortune; coming by ample servings of delicious food
Proverbs & Idioms
子は親の鏡
こはおやのかがみ
Children are mirrors of their parents
Children reflect their parents behavior
子を持って知る親の恩
こをもってしるおやのおん
Having children makes you understand parental love
You appreciate your parents after becoming one yourself
Poetry
田子の浦に うち出でて見れば 白妙の 富士の高嶺に 雪はふりつつ
Poem #4 from Hyakunin Isshu