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伯叔 (はくしゅく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

伯はく叔しゅく

は

く

しゅ

く

Meanings

1

noun

brothers; one's father's brothers

Rare, formal term referring specifically to one's father's brothers. Not used in everyday conversation; modern Japanese would use おじ or 伯父/叔父.

古こ文ぶん書しょでは「伯はく叔しゅく」が父ちちの兄きょう弟だいを指さすことがある。
In old documents, 伯叔 can refer to one's father's brothers.

Kanji

伯chief, count, earl
叔uncle, youth

Similar words

伯父おじ
Common term for uncle (father's older brother). 伯叔 is a rare, formal compound that collectively refers to father's brothers.
叔父おじ
Common term for uncle (father's younger brother). 伯叔 encompasses both older and younger brothers of one's father.

Etymology

Compound of 伯 (eldest brother, uncle) and 叔 (younger brother, uncle). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji combination is conventionally associated with the meaning 'father's brothers'.