Meaning
The N1 kanji 郎 (ロウ) primarily conveys meanings such as "son," "man," "gentleman," or "husband." It often appears as a suffix in male names, signifying lineage or a specific order of birth, such as 太郎 (Tarō) for the first son or 次郎 (Jirō) for the second. Beyond names, it can refer to a young man or serve as a respectful term for a male individual. In certain contexts, it might even carry the nuance of a retainer or a beloved person. You'll often encounter 郎 in traditional settings, historical literature, and formal addresses.
Etymologically, 郎 is a phono-semantic compound. It merges 艮 (ゴン, ケン), which serves as both the phonetic component and suggests concepts like "stop," "firm," or "hard," with 邑 (ユウ, むら), the semantic component. The radical 邑, when appearing on the right side of a kanji (as 阝), typically refers to a "village," "town," or more broadly, a "person within a specific locale or group." Therefore, the character originally depicted a "firm" or "strong man" from a specific "village" or "community." Over time, its meaning broadened to include "young man" and "gentleman." Eventually, it became a general term for "man" or "son," often with a respectful or endearing nuance. The visual shape of 郎 thus subtly connects to the idea of a person (阝) of certain standing or character (艮).
This kanji has 9 strokes and is classified at the N1 level of the JLPT, signifying its presence in more advanced or nuanced Japanese vocabulary. While not a basic school grade kanji, its components are common, making it approachable for advanced learners. Its presence frequently signals historical or formal contexts, or traditional Japanese male names, making it distinct from more common kanji like 男 (おとこ) for a general "man."
Readings
The kanji 郎 primarily features one common on'yomi reading and an archaic kun'yomi. Grasping these readings and their contexts is key to mastering this N1 kanji effectively.
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi reading for 郎 stems from its historical Chinese pronunciation. It is typically used when the kanji appears as part of a compound word, particularly in formal, traditional, or name-related contexts.
ロウ (rō): This is the most common and essential on'yomi reading for 郎. It is widely used in male names and in compound words referring to men, husbands, or specific male roles.
太郎 (tarō) — A very common traditional Japanese male name, often used for the first son.
新郎 (shinrō) — The groom, specifically at a wedding ceremony.
郎党 (rōtō) — A historical term referring to a retainer or vassal, particularly in samurai households.
野郎 (yarō) — A rude or very informal term for "guy," "bastard," or "scoundrel." While informal, it uses the on'yomi ロウ.
While historical records might show other on'yomi like リョウ, these are exceedingly rare in modern Japanese and not pertinent for N1 proficiency. Therefore, concentrate primarily on ロウ.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi reading for 郎 is rooted in native Japanese words that convey the meaning of the kanji. For 郎, common kun'yomi are quite rare in modern standalone usage, often appearing in archaic expressions or specific compounds.
おとこ (otoko): While 男 is the standard kanji for "man," 郎 can be read as おとこ in older, more literary, or specialized contexts. It's not typically used as a standalone word in contemporary Japanese but is important for understanding historical texts or names.
郎女 (otome) — Literally meaning "man-woman," this word historically referred to a "young woman" or "maiden." It's an interesting case: 郎 takes on an archaic kun'yomi here, appearing in a term for a female, which suggests a broader "young person" connotation in some ancient contexts.
郎 — This reading is extremely rare for 郎 on its own in modern Japanese, usually supplanted by 男. However, recognizing its historical possibility is part of understanding the kanji's full scope.
Other very archaic kun'yomi, such as いらつこ (iratsuko) for a young noble, have almost entirely disappeared from use and are not typically required for N1 study.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 郎 appears in a variety of Japanese words, predominantly related to male identity, names, and historical roles. These compounds illustrate the versatility and nuance of 郎, especially its role as a suffix and in denoting specific types of men.
Male Names and Suffixes:
太郎 (tarō) — A classic and very common Japanese male name, traditionally given to the first son.
次郎 (jirō) — Another common male name, typically for the second son.
三郎 (saburō) — A male name, traditionally for the third son.
一郎 (ichirō) — A male given name, meaning "first son." This is a popular name that also signifies "one" or "best."
健太郎 (kentarō) — A common male name, combining 健康 (kenkō, health) with 太郎, meaning "healthy first son."
Roles and Titles:
新郎 (shinrō) — The groom, specifically used in the context of a wedding.
花婿 (hanamuko) — Another word for "groom," often used alongside 花嫁 (hanayome, bride).
郎党 (rōtō) — A historical term referring to a retainer, vassal, or a group of followers, common in feudal Japan.
郎君 (rōkun) — An archaic or literary term for a "young master" or "husband."
殿郎 (tonorō) — A historical term for a courtier or nobleman, especially in the Heian period.
Colloquial and Informal Terms:
野郎 (yarō) — A highly informal and often rude term for "guy," "fellow," "bastard," or "scoundrel." Its usage can range from affectionate (among close male friends) to highly derogatory.
太郎冠者 (tarō-kaja) — A stock character in traditional Kyōgen farce, often a servant or sidekick, embodying common people.
Example Sentences
長男なので、彼の名前は太郎とつけられました。
Chōnan nanode, kare no namae wa Tarō to tsukeraremashita.
As the eldest son, he was named Tarō.
新郎と新婦は祭壇の前に立ちました。
Shinrō to shinpu wa saidan no mae ni tachimashita.
The groom and bride stood before the altar.
彼は戦国時代の武士の郎党でした。
Kare wa sengoku-jidai no bushi no rōtō deshita.
He served as a retainer for a samurai during the Sengoku period.
「おい、そこの野郎、何してるんだ？」と彼は怒鳴った。
"Oi, soko no yarō, nani shiteru n'da?" to kare wa donatta.
"Hey, you scoundrel over there, what are you doing?" he shouted.
子供の頃、僕の友達には次郎という名前の子が多かった。
Kodomo no koro, boku no tomodachi ni wa Jirō to iu namae no ko ga ōkatta.
When I was a child, many of my friends were named Jirō.
彼は花婿として、皆に祝福されました。
Kare wa hanamuko to shite, mina ni shukufuku saremashita.
Everyone blessed him as the groom.
その昔、郎君は姫の屋敷を訪ねました。
Sono mukashi, rōkun wa hime no yashiki o tazunemashita.
Long ago, the young master visited the princess's mansion.
彼は村で一番の働き者の三郎さんだと評判でした。
Kare wa mura de ichiban no hatarakimono no Saburō-san da to hyōban deshita.
He was reputed to be Saburō-san, the hardest worker in the village.
古典文学では、郎女という言葉が頻繁に登場します。
Koten bungaku dewa, otome toiu kotoba ga hinpan ni tōjō shimasu.
The word 'otome' (maiden) frequently appears in classical literature.
Memory Tip
To recall the kanji 郎, break it down into its components: 艮 (ごん) on the left, and 阝 (おおざと), the "village" or "town" radical, on the right. Consider 艮 as representing "firmness," "good," or "stopping." Now, integrate these ideas: Envision a "good" (艮) "man" from the "village" (阝). Alternatively, visualize a "strong" and "firm" (艮) individual who is a "person" (the 阝 radical, signifying a person within a place). The sound ロウ (rō) can be associated with "row" or "low," perhaps thinking of a "gentleman in a row" of other men, or a "lowly retainer" from a village. This combination helps solidify the meaning of "man," "son," or "gentleman."