乙
乙·the second (of two parties), B grade, young girl (in 乙女)
- On-yomi
- オツ
- Kun-yomi
- none
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 甲乙 | こうおつ | first and second; A and B |
| 乙女 | おとめ | young girl, maiden |
| 乙 | おつ | party B (in contracts); the second |
| 乙種 | おっしゅ | class B, second grade |
Example sentences
契約書では貸主を甲、借主を乙とする。
けいやくしょではかしぬしをこう、かりぬしをおつとする。
In the contract the lender is Party A and the borrower Party B.
二つの作品は甲乙つけがたい。
ふたつのさくひんはこうおつつけがたい。
It is hard to say which of the two works is better.
乙女のような純真さを持っている。
おとめのようなじゅんしんさをもっている。
She has the innocence of a young girl.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- 甲乙つけがたい means the two are equally good, not that they cannot be told apart.
- 乙女 is おとめ, an irregular reading — not おつじょ.
Memory aid
Picture it
One bent stroke, like a seedling that has not yet straightened: the second in line, not the first.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 乙 mean?