必
invariably · certain · inevitable
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
heart + 丿
Cultural Context
Etymology
Shape of stick added to heart. Surely.
Symbolism
Necessary, surely, inevitable. Represents surely.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
生者必滅
しょうじゃひつめつ
all living things must die; all living things must die
盛者必衰
じょうしゃひっすい
even the prosperous inevitably decay; sic transit gloria mundi; all that's fair must fade; even the prosperous inevitably decay
信賞必罰
しんしょうひつばつ
sure punishment or reward; sure punishment or reward
先手必勝
せんてひっしょう
victory goes to the one who makes the first move; being quick to take action leads to victory; the early bird gets the worm; victory goes to the one who makes the first move
一発必中
いっぱつひっちゅう
success on the first try (attempt); success on the first try (attempt)
驕兵必敗
きょうへいひっぱい
defeat is inevitable for an overconfident army; being arrogant and overconfident inevitably leads to defeat; pride comes before a fall; defeat is inevitable for an overconfident army