一いち姫ひめ二に太た郎ろう

expression

first a girl, then a boy is ideal

Traditional proverb expressing that having a daughter first and then a son makes for an easier and more harmonious family. The girl can help with childcare, and the boy is the hoped-for heir.

• 「一いち姫ひめ二に太た郎ろう」と言いうから、最さい初しょは女おんなの子こが欲ほしいな。

  They say 'first a girl, then a boy,' so I'd like a girl first.

expression

one girl and two boys are ideal

Modern colloquial reinterpretation of the proverb, taking 二太郎 literally as 'two boys' rather than 'then a boy.' Used when discussing ideal family composition.

• 最さい近きんは「一いち姫ひめ二に太た郎ろう」を文も字じ通どおりに、女おんなの子こ一人ひとりと男おとこの子こ二人ふたりが理り想そうって言いう人ひともいるね。

  Lately some people take 'ichihime nitarō' literally and say one girl and two boys are ideal.