士
gentleman · scholar · samurai · samurai radical (no. 33)
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
十 + one
Cultural Context
Etymology
Shape of axe. Honorific for man.
Symbolism
Samurai, lawyer, gentleman. Represents respectable person.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
一言居士
いちげんこじ
person who is ready to comment on every subject; ready critic; person who is ready to comment on every subject
士農工商
しのうこうしょう
hierarchy of samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants in Edo society; hierarchy of samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants in Edo society
多士済々
たしせいせい
galaxy of able persons; collection of intellectuals; galaxy of able persons
士魂商才
しこんしょうさい
having a samurai's spirit and a merchant's business sense; having a samurai's spirit and a merchant's business sense
国士無双
こくしむそう
distinguished person; thirteen orphans; winning hand containing one of each terminal and honor tile plus one extra copy of any of them; distinguished person
慎重居士
しんちょうこじ
very cautious person; very prudent person; very discreet person; very cautious person
貴顕紳士
きけんしんし
gentlemen of (high) eminence; notables; dignitaries; gentlemen of (high) eminence
士気高揚
しきこうよう
raising morale; lifting of morale; raising morale
士気阻喪
しきそそう
demoralization; collapse of morale; one's morale being shaken; demoralization
紳士淑女
しんししゅくじょ
ladies and gentlemen; ladies and gentlemen
Proverbs & Idioms
士は己を知る者のために死す
しはおのれをしるもののためにしす
A warrior dies for those who understand him
Loyalty to those who truly know you
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
みかきもり 衛士のたく火の 夜は燃え 昼は消えつつ 物をこそ思へ
Poem #49 from Hyakunin Isshu
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 士 mean in Japanese?
士 means gentleman, scholar, samurai, samurai radical (no. 33).
How do you read 士?
On'yomi: シ (SHI). Kun'yomi: さむらい (samurai).
How many strokes does 士 have?
士 has 3 strokes. Its radical is 士 (scholar).
Is 士 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 士 (gentleman, scholar, samurai, samurai radical (no. 33)) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
Explore by meaning:kanji for gentleman · kanji for samurai