条
Meanings
counter for lines, streaks, rays
Counts long, thin things such as lines, stripes, beams of light, or streaks. Used with native Japanese numbers or Sino-Japanese numbers depending on context.
A single ray of light shone through the clouds.
Archaic or literary conjunction used in the pattern とは言い条. Equivalent to modern とは言っても or とはいえ.
Although I am old, I still won't lose to the young ones.
Archaic or formal conjunction used in letters and classical writing to indicate a reason. Modern equivalents include ので or から.
As I am writing a seasonal greeting, please excuse me.
jō (historical city division)
Historical term referring to a north-south division in the jō-bō grid system of ancient Japanese capitals like Heian-kyō. Not used in modern contexts.
See also: 条坊制
Heian-kyō was designed based on the jō-bō system, divided into east-west bō and north-south jō.
Usage patterns
- 第〈数〉条Article ~ (a numbered clause in a law, treaty, or contract)
Article 9 of the Constitution renounces war.
- 〈数〉条の〈物〉a certain number of rays, streaks, or lines of something
A single ray of light streamed in through the window.
- とは言い条although; be that as it may (archaic/literary)
Even though he was busy, he should have been able to reply.
Expressions
- 条件を呑むaccept the conditions; agree to the terms