Translation and Meaning of: 順 - jyun

The Japanese word 順[じゅん] is a versatile term that appears in various contexts of everyday life and Japanese culture. Its main meaning revolves around ideas such as "order," "sequence," or "conformity," but its usage goes far beyond that. In this article, we will explore everything from the origin and writing of the kanji to practical examples of how this word is used by Japanese people in daily life. If you are studying Japanese or just curious about the language, understanding 順 can open doors to a deeper understanding of the Japanese mindset.

Meaning and use of 順[じゅん]

The term 順 carries with it the notion of organization and fluidity. When used alone or in compounds, it often indicates a logical sequence, such as in 順番 (order of arrival or priority) or 順調 (smooth progress of something). It is not just about a numerical order, but also about a natural harmony expected in situations.

In practice, the Japanese use this word in contexts ranging from waiting lines to procedural instructions. A teacher might ask students to respond "順に" (in order), while a technical manual may mention 順を追って (following the sequence) to explain steps. This ubiquity reveals how the concept of order is valued in Japanese society.

The kanji 順 and its structure

Analyzing the kanji 順, we find interesting clues about its original meaning. Composed of the radical 頁 (head/page) combined with 川 (river), the suggested image is that of a river flowing smoothly - a perfect metaphor for sequence and natural order. This composition appears in the Kangorin dictionary and other reliable sources for kanji study.

It is worth noting that, although 川 is clearly visible in the kanji, the main radical is actually 頁, which classifies the character in dictionaries. This distinction is important for those who are learning to write or research the kanji. The reading じゅん is the most common, but in some compounds, it may appear as "jun," especially in terms borrowed from other languages.

Order in Japanese culture and society

The concept behind 順 goes beyond language and reflects deep values of Japanese culture. The importance placed on order and the natural flow of things appears in traditional ceremonies, social etiquette, and even in the organization of public spaces. It is not an exaggeration to say that understanding this word is to understand part of the Japanese mindset regarding harmony and efficiency.

In animes and dramas, it is common to see characters using expressions with 順 to emphasize the need to follow rules or procedures. This media representation reinforces how the term is rooted in everyday communication. For Japanese students, paying attention to these uses can be a practical way to absorb the real meaning of the word in context.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 整列 (Seiretsu) - Formation, arrangement in order.
• 順序 (Junjo) - Order or sequence.
• 順番 (Junban) - Order of turn, sequence of actions.
• 順位 (Jun'i) - Ranking, position in a list.
• 順序通り (Junjotōri) - According to the order, following the sequence.
• 順調 (Junchō) - Success, in good progress, fluid.
• 順序良く (Junjo yoku) - In an orderly manner.
• 順序正しく (Junjo tadashiku) - Correctly in order.
• 順当 (Juntō) - Reasonable, appropriate, that follows the rule.
• 順序立てて (Junjo tatete) - Organizing in order, structured.
• 順序を追って (Junjo o otte) - Following the order.
• 順序を守って (Junjo o mamotte) - Respecting the order.
• 順序を守る (Junjo o mamoru) - Maintain order.
• 順序を重んじる (Junjo o omonjiru) - Value the order.
• 順守 (Junshu) - Obedience, compliance with an order.
• 順守する (Junshu suru) - Complying, obeying a rule.
• 順守義務 (Junshu gimu) - Compliance duty, obligation to follow rules.
• 順守義務を果たす (Junshu gimu o hatasu) - Fulfill the compliance obligation.
• 順守義務を怠る (Junshu gimu o okotaru) - Neglect the obligation of compliance.
• 順守義務違反 (Junshu gimu ihan) - Violation of compliance obligation.
• 順守性 (Junshusei) - Compliance, degree of adherence to the rules.
• 順守性が高い (Junshusei ga takai) - High compliance, strong adherence to rules.
• 順守性が低い (Junshusei ga hikui) - Low compliance, weak adherence to the rules.
• 順守性を高める (Junshusei o takameru) - Increase compliance.

順

Romaji: jyun
Kana: じゅん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: order; turn

Meaning in English: order;turn

Definition: It refers to what comes after something.

Example Sentences - (順) jyun

See below some example sentences:

順序を守ってください。

Junjo wo mamotte kudasai

Please follow the order.

Follow the request.

• 順序 - means "order" in Japanese
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 守って - verb form of the verb "守る" which means "to maintain" or "to observe" in Japanese
• ください - "the verbal form of the verb 'くださる' which is a polite way to request something in Japanese"

順番を守ってください。

Junban wo mamotte kudasai

Please respect the order.

Follow the request.

• 順番 - The term for "order" in Japanese is "秩序" (ちつじょ - chitsujo).
• を - Object particle in Japanese.
• 守って - The verb form of "守る" that means "to protect" or "to obey" in Japanese.
• ください - The verbal form of the verb "くださる" is an honorific verb that means "to give" or "to do for someone" in Japanese.

順番に並んでください。

Junban ni narande kudasai

Please, line up.

Please align in order.

• 順番に - means "in order," indicating that something should be done in a specific sequence.
• 並んで - means "to stand in line", indicating that people should line up in a queue.
• ください - It is a polite way to ask for something, in this case, asking people to line up.

手順を守って作業してください。

Tejun wo mamotte sagyou shite kudasai

Please follow the instructions and do the job.

Follow the procedure and work.

• 手順 - procedure
• を - object particle
• 守って - follow
• 作業 - work
• して - doing
• ください - Please

優先順位を設定してください。

Yuusen jun'i wo settei shite kudasai

Please define the priority.

Set the priority.

• 優先順位 - Priority
• を - Article that marks the object of the action
• 設定 - Configure, define
• してください - Please, do it.

先着順で席を確保してください。

Senchaku jun de seki wo kakutoku shite kudasai

Please secure your seat in order of arrival.

Please secure a seat on a first-degree, first-served basis.

• 先着順 (sentei jun) - order of arrival
• で (de) - indication of means or method
• 席 (seki) - Seat
• を (wo) - object particle
• 確保 (kakuho) - Guarantee, ensure
• して (shite) - conjugated form of the verb "suru" (to do)
• ください (kudasai) - Please

万事に順調に進みますように。

Banji ni junchō ni susumimasu yō ni

May all go well in all things.

Hope you do well.

• 万事 (banji) - all things
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the target or destination
• 順調 (junchou) - no problem, smoothly
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the manner or state
• 進みます (susumimasu) - Move forward, progress
• ように (you ni) - expression that indicates desire or hope

不順な天気が続いています。

Fujun na tenki ga tsuzuite imasu

The weather is unstable.

The erratic weather continues.

• 不順な - adjective meaning "irregular"
• 天気 - noun meaning "weather" or "climate"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 続いています - verb meaning "continue" in the present and polite form