Translation and Meaning of: 乙 - otsu

The Japanese word 乙[おつ] is one of those terms that can confuse beginners in the language but carries interesting meanings and specific uses. If you have come across it in animes, songs, or even in informal conversations, you may have noticed that its meaning goes beyond the obvious. In this article, we will explore what 乙 represents, its origin, how it is used in everyday Japanese, and some curiosities that will help you memorize it. Here at Suki Nihongo, our goal is to simplify Japanese for you!

Meaning and use of 乙[おつ]

乙 is a kanji that can have various meanings depending on the context. Originally, it represents "second" in a sequence, such as in 乙女[おとめ] (young maiden) or 乙種[おつしゅ] (second class). However, in modern Japanese, 乙[おつ] has also acquired a more informal and even casual tone.

In everyday situations, 乙 is often used as an abbreviation for "お疲れ様" [otsukaresama], a common expression to acknowledge someone's effort. For example, after a day of work, colleagues might simply say "おつ！" as a quick and casual way to say "good job." This usage is especially popular among young people and in more informal settings.

Origin and Evolution of the term

The origin of 乙 as an abbreviation for お疲れ様 is relatively recent, emerging mainly in the late 20th century with the popularization of shorter and more efficient languages. This phenomenon is common in Japanese, where long terms are often abbreviated to facilitate everyday communication.

It is worth noting that although 乙 is widely understood in this context, its use is still considered quite casual. In formal situations, such as work meetings or with hierarchical superiors, it is ideal to use the full expression お疲れ様です to show respect.

Curiosities and tips for memorization

An interesting way to remember the meaning of 乙 is to associate it with the kanji 疲[つか]れる (to get tired), which is present in お疲れ様. This connection helps to understand why 乙 came to be used as an abbreviation. Furthermore, in some games and animes, the term appears as a secondary classification, reinforcing its original meaning of "second."

Another curiosity is that 乙 can also be used ironically or sarcastically in certain contexts, especially on the internet. For example, if someone does something obvious or unimpressive, they might receive an "おつ" as a response, almost like a "congratulations, captain obvious." However, this use depends a lot on the tone and the relationship between the people.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• おつ (otsu) - purpose; conclusion
• きのと (kinoto) - types of trees, bonsais, or parts of plants
• きのとら (kinotora) - type of plant; specification of a type
• きのとり (kinotori) - extraction of plant parts
• きのとる (kinotoru) - to collect; gather parts of plants
• きのとれ (kinotore) - permission to collect plant parts
• おと (oto) - sound; noise
• おとめ (otome) - maiden; young woman
• おとめぐさ (otomegusa) - plant associated with youth or beauty
• おとめぐし (otomegushi) - accessory or ornament of a young woman
• おとめぐす (otomegusu) - of the meaning of "donzela" in a specific context
• おとめぐせ (otomeguse) - particularity or behavior of a maiden
• おとめぐち (otomeguchi) - meeting place for maidens
• おとめぐちょう (otomeguchou) - region or area of maidens
• おとめぐちょうし (otomeguchoushi) - style or characteristic of maidens in place
• おとめぐちょうす (otomeguchousu) - action relating to the behavior of maidens
• おとめぐちょうせ (otomeguchouse) - invitation or attraction for maidens
• おとめぐちょうち (otomeguchouchi) - knowledge or customs of maidens
• おとめぐちょうてん (otomeguchouten) - point or location of maiden activities
• おとめぐちょうてんし (otomeguchoutenshi) - protection or blessing to maidens
• おとめぐちょうてんす (otomeguchoutensu) - tendency or way of being among maidens
• おとめぐちょうてんせ (otomeguchoutense) - behavior of maidens at events

乙

Romaji: otsu
Kana: おつ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: 1. strange; picturesque; elegant; chic; spicy; eccentric; witty; Tasty; romantic; 2. 2nd in position; second sign of the Chinese calendar.

Meaning in English: 1. strange;quaint;stylish;chic;spicy;queer;witty;tasty;romantic; 2. 2nd in rank;second sign of the Chinese calendar

Definition: Otsu. A word used to refer to the name of a person or the name of an animal.

Example Sentences - (乙) otsu

See below some example sentences:

乙女は美しいです。

Otome wa utsukushii desu

Young women are beautiful.

The maiden is beautiful.

• 乙女 - means "girl" or "maiden".
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "the girl".
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.