放ほう蕩とう息子むすこ

ほ

う

と

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む

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Meanings

1

noun

prodigal son; good-for-nothing son; profligate son

yojijukugo (four-character idiom)

A yojijukugo describing a son who wastes money and leads a dissolute life, often causing trouble for his family. Carries a strong negative judgment.

放set free, release, fire

蕩melt, be charmed, captivated

息breath, respiration, son

子child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM

放ほう蕩とう娘むすめ
Same meaning but for a daughter; less common than 放蕩息子.
道どう楽らく息子むすこ
Similar meaning, but 道楽 emphasizes indulgence in hobbies or vices rather than general profligacy.

Compound of 放蕩 (profligacy, debauchery) and 息子 (son). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it is a straightforward descriptive yojijukugo.