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.
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
一本調子
いっぽんぢょうし
monotone; monotonous; dull
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
獅子奮迅
ししふんじん
furious (energy, battle, etc.); frenzied (work, activity, etc.); ferocious
杓子定規
しゃくしじょうぎ
strict; hidebound; inflexible
放蕩息子
ほうとうむすこ
good-for-nothing son; profligate 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
子々孫々
ししそんそん
one's descendants; one's offspring; posterity
金襴緞子
きんらんどんす
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
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
軽薄才子
けいはくさいし
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
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
獅子身中
しししんちゅう
treacherous friend; snake in one's bosom; treacherous insider
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)
聖人君子
せいじんくんし
person of lofty virtue; man of noble character; perfect person
乱臣賊子
らんしんぞくし
rebels against one's lord and one's parents; rebellious (treacherous) subject; traitor
杓子果報
しゃくしかほう
coming by ample servings of delicious food; being blessed with good fortune
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
Coming out onto Tago Bay and looking up, I see snow still falling on the white peak of Fuji.
雀の子そこのけそこのけ御馬が通る
Little sparrow, out of the way, out of the way — the horse is coming through.
名月を取ってくれろと泣く子かな
A child crying — take down the harvest moon and give it to me.
雪とけて村一ぱいの子ども哉
The snow melts, and the village fills to the brim with children.
Anime & Manga
鋼の錬金術師
Fullmetal Alchemist
Depicts brotherly bonds. Story of Edward who became a state alchemist despite being a 'child.'
天気の子
Weathering With You
A well-known work with 子 in its Japanese title.
【推しの子】
OSHI NO KO
A well-known work with 子 in its Japanese title.
黒子のバスケ
Kuroko's Basketball
A well-known work with 子 in its Japanese title.
魔王学院の不適合者 ～史上最強の魔王の始祖、転生して子孫たちの学校へ通う～
The Misfit of Demon King Academy: History’s Strongest Demon King Reincarnates and Goes to School with His Descendants
A well-known work with 子 in its Japanese title.
Games
マザー
EarthBound/Mother(1989)
Developer: Nintendo
RPG with 'children' as protagonists. Shigesato Itoi's unique worldview.
View on Amazon →Related Figures & Stories
皇后雅子
Name contains 子
Masako ; 9 December 1963) is Empress of Japan as the wife of Emperor Naruhito.
Wikipedia上皇后美智子
Name contains 子
Michiko is a member of the Imperial House of Japan who has been the Empress Emerita of Japan since 1 May 2019.
Wikipedia与謝野晶子
Name contains 子
Yosano Shō ; 7 December 1878 – 29 May 1942), known by her pen name Yosano Akiko aꜜ.kʲi̥.ko]), was a Japanese author, poet, feminist, pacifist, and…
Wikipedia正岡子規
Name contains 子
Masaoka Shiki , pen-name of Masaoka Noboru , was a Japanese poet, author, and literary critic in Meiji period Japan.
WikipediaOther kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 子 mean in Japanese?
子 means child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM, first sign of Chinese zodiac.
How do you read 子?
On'yomi: シ、ス、ツ (SHI, SU, TSU). Kun'yomi: こ、-こ、ね (ko, ko, ne).
How many strokes does 子 have?
子 has 3 strokes. Its radical is 子 (child).
Is 子 a good kanji for a tattoo?
子 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM, first sign of Chinese zodiac. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:child