Write the Readings of This Kanji: 乙

いつ, おと, おつ, きのと

How to say 'Second (of time)' or 'Unique' in Japanese | 乙

Wondering how to say 'Second (of time)' or 'Unique' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Second (of time) or Unique is 'Otsu', written as 乙 in Japanese.'Second (of time)' or 'Unique' in hiragana is おつ.

word

乙

Meaning

Second (of time), Unique

Reading

おつ

otsu

Kanji

乙Second, Latter

Explanation

The Japanese noun '乙 (おつ)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'second', as in the second of ten heavenly stems used in the traditional Japanese calendar system. For example: today is the second day of the cycle「今日は乙の日です」(きょうはおつのひです). The second meaning is 'unique' or 'unconventional', often used to describe something quirky or distinctive. For example: that artist has a unique style「あのアーティストは乙なスタイルだ」(あのアーティストはおつなスタイルだ). This second usage is more colloquial and can sometimes carry a slightly humorous or ironic tone.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

N1

Kanji Grade

8

Frequency

6943

Composition

kanji

Radical Forms

乛, ⺃, ⺄, 𠃊