八
eight · eight radical (no. 12)
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Shape of dividing something in two. Opening to both sides.
Symbolism
Spreading prosperity, good fortune. Eight is an auspicious number.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
四苦八苦
しくはっく
being in dire distress; being hard put to it; being hard pressed (for money); being in dire distress
四通八達
しつうはったつ
traffic network extending in all directions; traffic network extending in all directions
四方八方
しほうはっぽう
in all directions; in all directions
十中八九
じっちゅうはっく
in 8 or 9 cases out of ten; in all probability; in 8 or 9 cases out of ten
八紘一宇
はっこういちう
universal brotherhood; all eight corners of the world under one roof; universal brotherhood
八方美人
はっぽうびじん
everybody's friend; people pleaser; person who is affable to everybody; everybody's friend
八面玲瓏
はちめんれいろう
beautiful from all sides; perfect serenity; affability; beautiful from all sides
八面六臂
はちめんろっぴ
competent in all fields; jack of all trades; very active in many fields; competent in all fields
岡目八目
おかめはちもく
bystander's vantage point; outsider's better grasp of the situation; onlookers see more of the game than the players do; bystander's vantage point
七転八倒
しちてんばっとう
tossing oneself about in great pain; writhing in agony; tossing oneself about in great pain
七難八苦
しちなんはっく
the Seven Misfortunes and Eight Pains; a series of disasters; the Seven Misfortunes and Eight Pains
永字八法
えいじはっぽう
Eight Principles of Yong; principles for writing the eight basic brush strokes in Chinese characters; Eight Principles of Yong
八大地獄
はちだいじごく
The Eight Greater Hells; The Eight Greater Hells
百八煩悩
ひゃくはちぼんのう
the 108 kleshas; the 108 afflictions; the 108 kleshas
八月大名
はちがつだいみょう
the 8th month (of the lunar calendar) is the quietest for farmers; the 8th month (of the lunar calendar) is the quietest for farmers
七転八起
しちてんはっき
not giving up; keeping at it until one succeeds; not giving up
Poetry
わたの原 八十島かけて 漕ぎ出でぬと 人には告げよ あまのつり舟
Poem #11 from Hyakunin Isshu
八重むぐら しげれる宿の さびしきに 人こそ見えね 秋は来にけり
Poem #47 from Hyakunin Isshu
いにしへの 奈良の都の 八重桜 けふ九重に にほひぬるかな
Poem #61 from Hyakunin Isshu