Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
left-right: 十 + 早 + moon
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of grass, sun, and moon. When sun and moon visible through grass.
Symbolism
Morning, imperial court, every morning. Represents beginning of day.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Morning light
Seasonal
Time when seasonal changes are felt most keenly. "Spring dawn," "summer morning," "autumn morning" each have distinctive atmospheres.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
一朝一夕
いっちょういっせき
in a day; in a brief space of time; in a day
朝三暮四
ちょうさんぼし
being preoccupied with immediate (superficial) differences without realizing that there are no differences in substance; six of one and half a dozen of another; being preoccupied with immediate (superficial) differences without realizing that there are no differences in substance
朝令暮改
ちょうれいぼかい
an unsettled course of action; (orders or laws) being revised often with no guiding principles; an unsettled course of action
朝々暮々
ちょうちょうぼぼ
every morning and evening; every morning and evening
槿花一朝
きんかいっちょう
evanescent glory; passing prosperity; evanescent glory
人生朝露
じんせいちょうろ
man's life vanishes like a dew; a person's life is as fleeting as a morning dew; man's life vanishes like a dew
朝雲暮雨
ちょううんぼう
sexual liaison; morning clouds and evening rain; sexual liaison
電光朝露
でんこうちょうろ
fleeting; evanescent; fleeting
Proverbs & Idioms
早起きは三文の徳
はやおきはさんもんのとく
The early bird catches the worm
Early rising brings benefits
Poetry
朝ぼらけ ありあけの月と 見るまでに 吉野の里に 降れる白雪
Poem #31 from Hyakunin Isshu
明けぬれば 暮るるものとは 知りながら なほうらめしき 朝ぼらけかな
Poem #52 from Hyakunin Isshu
朝ぼらけ 宇治の川霧 たえだえに あらはれわたる 瀬々の網代木
Poem #64 from Hyakunin Isshu
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 朝 mean in Japanese?
朝 means morning, dynasty, regime, epoch, period, (North) Korea.
How do you read 朝?
On'yomi: チョウ (CHOU). Kun'yomi: あさ (asa).
How many strokes does 朝 have?
朝 has 12 strokes. Its radical is 月 (moon).
Is 朝 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 朝 (morning, dynasty, regime, epoch, period, (North) Korea) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
Explore by meaning:kanji for morning · kanji for dynasty · kanji for period