十

• Reading: じゅう
• Romaji: juu
• Kanji breakdown: 十 (juu/too) — ten
• Pronunciation: /dʑɯː/

Meaning

Ten; 10. The base number for the Japanese decimal system.

Read as じゅう in the Sino-Japanese system and とお in the native system. Forms the basis for teens (十一 juu-ichi, 11) and multiples of ten (二十 ni-juu, 20). Also appears in 十分 (juubun, sufficient/enough) and 十月 (juugatsu, October). The native reading とお is mainly used in the counter form 十 (too, ten items).

Examples

1. 十月は紅葉がきれいです。 The autumn leaves are beautiful in October.
2. 今日は十時まで勉強しました。 I studied until ten o'clock today.
3. りんごが十個あります。 There are ten apples.

Usage Guide

Context: counting, time, math

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 十 is a cross shape, originally representing a needle or a complete set. The vertical and horizontal lines symbolise completeness and the meeting of directions.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal