Translation and Meaning of: 十 - jyuu

The Japanese word 十[じゅう] is one of the most fundamental terms for anyone learning the language. Representing the number "ten", it appears in everyday contexts, counting, expressions, and even in cultural elements. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, practical use, and some curiosities that help to understand how the Japanese use this kanji in their daily lives.

In addition to being essential for counting from 1 to 10, 十 has a notable presence in compound words and even in cultural symbols. If you've ever wondered how to easily memorize it or why it is written this way, keep reading to discover interesting facts about this simple word that is rich in meaning.

Meaning and Origin of the Kanji 十

The kanji 十 is one of the oldest and simplest in the Japanese language, representing the number ten. Its shape resembles a cross, making it easy to write and recognize. Originally, this character emerged in China as a symbol to indicate completeness, as ten was considered a round and significant number in many ancient cultures.

In Japanese writing, 十 maintains its basic structure, composed of just two intersecting strokes. This simplicity makes it one of the first kanji taught to beginners. Interestingly, it also appears as a radical in other more complex characters, such as 協 (cooperation) and 博 (broad), always bringing with it the notion of totality or extent.

Everyday Expressions and Common Phrases

In everyday life, 十[じゅう] appears in various situations, from ages to quantities. For example, "ten years" is said as 十歳[じゅっさい], and "ten o'clock" is 十時[じゅうじ]. A peculiarity is that, when combined with certain words, the pronunciation can change slightly, as in 十回[じゅっかい] (ten times), where "じゅう" becomes "じゅっ".

In addition to numbers, this kanji is also present in expressions like 十人十色[じゅうにんといろ], a proverb that means "ten people, ten colors" — in other words, everyone has their own style and opinion. This type of usage demonstrates how the Japanese language utilizes numerical terms to convey abstract ideas in a creative way.

Tips for Memorizing and Writing Correctly

An effective way to remember the kanji 十 is to associate it with a cross or a plus sign (+), as its shape is practically identical. This visual trick helps not only to recognize it but also to reproduce it correctly in writing. Another tip is to practice it in combination with other numbers, such as 十一[じゅういち] (eleven) or 二十[にじゅう] (twenty), to cement its sound and use in real contexts.

It is worth noting that, although it seems simple, the order of the strokes still matters. The kanji 十 must be written with the horizontal stroke first, followed by the vertical, starting from top to bottom. Following this sequence ensures a more natural writing style and aligns with Japanese calligraphic standards.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 十 (juu) - Ten

十

Romaji: jyuu
Kana: じゅう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3, jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: (num) 10; ten

Meaning in English: (num) 10;ten

Definition: The integer that follows 9 in a number.

Example Sentences - (十) jyuu

See below some example sentences:

私は二十歳です。

Watashi wa nijūsai desu

I am 20 years old.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates what is being talked about
• 二十 (ni juu) - number meaning "twenty"
• 歳 (sai) - unit of age meaning "years"
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

私は今年二十歳です。

Watashi wa kotoshi nijuu sai desu

I am 20 years old this year.

I am 20 years old this year.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 今年 (kotoshi) - noun meaning "this year"
• 二十 (hatachi) - numeral meaning "twenty"
• 歳 (sai) - suffix indicating age
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form

私は十字路で迷っています。

Watashi wa juujiro de mayotte imasu

I'm lost at a crossroads.

I'm lost at the crossroads.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle that indicates that "I" is the topic of the sentence
• 十字路 - A palavra em japonês para "cruzamento" é クロスロード (kurosurōdo).
• で - particle that indicates the location where the action occurs, in this case, the "intersection"
• 迷っています - 迷っている (mayotte iru)

私の月給は十分ではありません。

Watashi no gekkyū wa jūbun de wa arimasen

My monthly salary is not enough.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 月給 - monthly salary
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 十分 - adjective that means "sufficient"
• ではありません - expression indicating negation

私の身長は一メートル六十センチです。

Watashi no shinchou wa ichi meetoru rokujuu senchi desu

My height is 1 meter and 60 centimeters.

My height is 60 cm per meter.

• 私の身長は - "Watashi no shinchou wa" means "My height is"
• 一メートル - "Ichi meetoru" means "One meter"
• 六十センチ - "Rokujuu senchi" means "Sixty centimeters"
• です - "Desu" is a particle that indicates the conclusion of the sentence and can be translated as "is" or "are"