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南山の寿 (なんざんのじゅ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

南なん山ざんの寿じゅ

な

ん

ざ

ん

の

じゅ

Meanings

1

noun

longevity; long life

A classical, highly formal expression for wishing someone a long life, often used in poetry or ceremonial greetings. Not used in everyday speech.

「南なん山ざんの寿じゅ」は、長ちょう寿じゅを祝いわう漢かん詩しの一いっ節せつとして知しられている。
"Nanzan no ju" is known as a line from a Chinese poem celebrating longevity.

Kanji

南south
山mountain
寿longevity, congratulations, one's natural life

Similar words

長ちょう寿じゅ
Standard, everyday word for longevity. 南山の寿 is a rare, classical alternative used only in very formal or literary contexts.

Etymology

From Classical Chinese, literally 'longevity of the southern mountain', a metaphor for a long and enduring life. The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the expression is conventionally associated with congratulatory wishes.