Translation and Meaning of: 卯 - bou

The Japanese word 「卯」 (romaji: bou) has a rich etymology that dates back to the historical culture of China and Japan. The character 「卯」 is represented in Japanese by the kanji that historically has a direct association with the calendar and the zodiac. In the Chinese zodiac, 「卯」 represents the rabbit, one of the twelve animals that mark the years and influence culture in East Asia.

Etymologically, 「卯」 is one of the terrestrial branches (地支, jishi) created to denote specific times of the day as well as years in a twelve-year cycle in the eastern zodiac. Besides its use in the calendar, the kanji 「卯」 is a symbol that denotes the beginning of spring. This usage dates back to ancient agricultural practices, where the zodiac signs played a crucial role in determining planting periods.

In the Japanese language, 「卯」 is not just a mere temporal or astrological representation. In fact, the word and its variations are used in various cultural contexts. In the traditional Japanese time system, for example, the hour of usagi (rabbit - corresponding to 「卯」) is approximately between 5 and 7 in the morning, signaling the beginning of a new day. This correspondence with beginnings and renewed starts can be seen in various traditions and stories associated with 「卯」. Furthermore, the use of the rabbit as a symbol in various forms of art and everyday objects can be traced back to this ancient connection with the zodiac and time.

In addition to cultural and temporal associations, 「卯」 can be found in personal names and regional expressions, keeping its influence alive in everyday Japanese life. Its presence in surnames and place names highlights how ancient calendar and astrology systems have profoundly influenced not only language but also the cultural identity of communities.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 未 (Mi) - Not completed, incomplete
• う (U) - Auxiliary verb, used in the formation of verb tenses
• うさぎ (Usagi) - Rabbit
• うの (Uno) - Of
• うま (Uma) - Horse
• うまのえ (Uma no e) - The no (part or aspect of the horse)
• うまのひ (Uma no hi) - Horse Day
• うまのみ (Uma no mi) - The fruit of the horse (it may refer to some edible part related to the horse)
• うまのむ (Uma no mu) - Where the horse gathers (perhaps referring to socialization among horses)
• うまのり (Uma no ri) - Horse direction / riding on the horse

卯

Romaji: bou
Kana: ぼう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: Fourth Sign of the Chinese Zodiac (Hare, from 5am to 7am, East of February)

Meaning in English: fourth sign of Chinese zodiac (The Hare 5am-7am east February)

Definition: ``U'' is a time system that indicates divisions of time and refers to the period from 5 to 7 a.m.

Example Sentences - (卯) bou

See below some example sentences:

卯年は兎年とも呼ばれます。

U年はうさぎ年ともよばれます。

The rabbit year is also called the rabbit year.

The rabbit year is also called the rabbit year.

• 卯年 - year of the rabbit in the Chinese calendar
• は - Topic particle
• 兎年 - year of the rabbit in the Japanese calendar
• とも - also
• 呼ばれます - is called