十
ten
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Vertical and horizontal lines crossing. All directions, complete number.
Symbolism
Perfection, sufficiency, full marks. Also represents diversity as in 'ten people, ten colors'.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
三十六計
さんじゅうろっけい
the 36 (ancient Chinese military) strategies (of which the last resort was said to be beating a retreat); the 36 (ancient Chinese military) strategies (of which the last resort was said to be beating a retreat)
十字砲火
じゅうじほうか
cross fire; cross fire
十人十色
じゅうにんといろ
several men, several minds; everyone has his own (ideas, tastes, interests, etc.); different strokes for different folks; several men, several minds
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
十年一日
じゅうねんいちじつ
without intermission for ten (long) years; with constancy of purpose for ten (long) years; in the same old rut for years on end; without intermission for ten (long) years
十万億土
じゅうまんおくど
eternity; paradise; eternity
十年一昔
じゅうねんひとむかし
the pace of change makes ten years back seem like ancient history; the pace of change makes ten years back seem like ancient history
九十九折
つづらおり
winding; meandering; sinuous; winding
五風十雨
ごふうじゅうう
seasonable rains and winds; halcyon weather; halcyon times of peace; seasonable rains and winds
五十知命
ごじゅうちめい
at age fifty, one comes to know the will of Heaven; at age fifty, one comes to know the will of Heaven
四十不惑
しじゅうふわく
at age forty, one has no doubts; at age forty, one has no doubts
一暴十寒
いちばくじっかん
bursts of exertion will fail to bear fruit if interrupted by long periods of idleness; strenuous efforts, unless sustained, are to no avail; bursts of exertion will fail to bear fruit if interrupted by long periods of idleness
一目十行
いちもくじゅうぎょう
outstanding reading ability; one glance, ten lines; outstanding reading ability
十死一生
じっしいっしょう
narrow escape from the jaws of death; there being barely a chance of escaping death; narrow escape from the jaws of death
Proverbs & Idioms
十を聞いて一を知る
じゅうをきいていちをしる
Hear ten, understand one
Unable to grasp even a fraction of what is taught
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