Translation and Meaning of: 列 - retsu

The Japanese word 「列」, read as "retsu", has a long history in its etymology and meaning. 「列」is composed of the combination of the radicals 「歹」(bone) and 「刀」(knife), which originally meant to cut or divide into parts. This concept has evolved over time to symbolize order and sequence, an idea that remains to this day in the Japanese language. The way these radicals are associated with the idea of organization is a beautiful demonstration of how kanji have developed more abstract meanings over the centuries.

In of definition, 「列」is used to describe a queue or a line, both in the physical sense, such as people organized in a queue, and in the abstract sense, such as a sequence of numbers or ideas. This word can also be associated with concrete like trains (列車, ressha) and events like parades (行列, gyouretsu), highlighting how it has influenced various aspects of everyday life and culture. In more formal contexts, 「列」can also be found in expressions that denote degree or position, such as in hierarchies or classifications.

Historically, the use of 「列」dates back to ancient China, from where the kanji writing system originated and was later adopted in Japan. The assimilation of this term into the Japanese vocabulary reflects the complexity of cultural interactions between these regions throughout history. However, in adopting 「列」, the Japanese language incorporated not only the literal meaning of organizing in a line but also additional nuances that reflect Japanese culture and society. It is fascinating to observe how the word has evolved and become rooted in the language over time, becoming an integral part of both everyday and formal expressions. This exemplifies the richness and continuous evolution of the Japanese language, always in motion as it embraces new meanings and contexts.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 行 (gyou) - Action of going or movement, it can also refer to lines in a text.
• 一列 (ichiretsu) - A single queue or line.
• 列車 (ressha) - Trains; rail transport.
• 列挙 (retsugyō) - Enumeration or listing of items, usually in a sequence.
• 列島 (rettou) - Archipelago or chain of islands.
• 列記 (rekki) - Registration or listing of information.
• 列強 (rekkyo) - Great powers or powerful countries, usually in a historical context.
• 列国 (rekoku) - Nations or countries listed, often in contexts of diplomacy.
• 列伝 (retsuden) - Biography or chronicle that lists the lives of several people.
• 列婚 (rekikon) - Series marriage, or multiple marriages in a sequence.
• 列席 (resseki) - Presence at an event, usually referring to ceremonies.
• 列挙する (retsugyō suru) - Act of enumerating or listing.
• 列挙者 (retsugyōsha) - The person who makes the enumeration or listing.
• 列挙権 (retsugyōken) - Right or authority to enumerate or list.
• 列儀 (retsugi) - Formal ways or procedures to organize in lines.
• 列挙名簿 (retsugyōmeibo) - List of names for enumeration or registration.
• 列挙結果 (retsugyōkekka) - Results of an enumeration or listing.
• 列挙方法 (retsugyōhōhō) - Method of listing or enumerating.
• 列挙調査 (retsugyōchōsa) - Research conducted for enumeration or data collection.
• 列挙票 (retsugyōhyō) - Form or ballot for enumeration.
• 列挙期間 (retsugyōkikan) - Period during which the enumeration is carried out.
• 列挙対象 (retsugyōtaishō) - Target or objective of the enumeration.
• 列挙対象者 (retsugyōtaishōsha) - People or entities that are the subject of the enumeration.
• 列挙対象外 (retsugyōtaishōgai) - Exclusions in the enumeration, items not ed for.
• 列挙対象範囲 (retsugyōtaishōhan'i) - Scope or range of the enumeration list.
• 列挙対象地域 (retsugyōtaishōchiiki) - Target geographical area for enumeration.
• 列挙対象世帯 (retsugyōtaishōsetai) - Families or households that are the subject of the enumeration.
• 列挙対象人口 (retsugyōtaishōjinkō) - Target population in the enumeration.

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