乙
おつ
1. the second (of two parties, grades or items); B; 2. stylish; quaint; with an odd charm
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Examples
甲の損は乙の得。
こうのそんはおつのとく。
One man's gain is another man's loss.
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 lessor is Party A and the lessee is Party B.
寒い夜に食べるおでんも乙なものだ。
さむいよるにたべるおでんもおつなものだ。
Oden on a cold night has a charm of its own.
成績は甲乙丙で付けられていた。
せいせきはこうおつへいでつけられていた。
Grades used to be given as A, B and C.
Common patterns
- 甲と乙
- Party A and Party B (in contracts)
- 乙なもの
- something with an odd charm
- 甲乙つけがたい
- too close to choose between
Memory tip
Two lives: in contracts 乙 is simply "Party B" after 甲, and in casual praise 乙な is "tastefully offbeat" — said of food, a view or a small pleasure. Remember 甲乙つけがたい for two things equally good.
Kanji in this word
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What does 乙 mean?