nth son; male name suffix
Productive suffix in traditional male given names, indicating birth order (太郎, 次郎, 三郎, etc.). Still common in modern names, though not freely attachable to any word.
His name is Tarō.
official title in ancient China
Historical Chinese bureaucratic title; not used in modern Japanese outside historical contexts.
Jirō is my younger brother.
In ancient China, 郎 was one of the official titles.
In classical texts, 郎 can refer to a young man.
Women in the past called their husbands '郎'.
郎 is the traditional suffix for male given names, while 子 is the traditional suffix for female given names.
first son; Tarō (male given name)
second son; Jirō (male given name)
third son · Occella iburia (species of poacher)
bridegroom; groom
prostitute; courtesan
mudskipper; goggle-eyed goby
diving beetle; Japanese predacious diving beetle
one's whole clan and retainers; one's family and followers
guy; fellow; chap; buddy
From Chinese 郎 (láng), originally meaning a gentleman or official. In Japanese, it became a common suffix in male names indicating birth order. The archaic noun senses are direct borrowings from classical Chinese usage.
sweet rice jelly; uirō · Edo-period herbal medicine; antitussive and breath freshener
slow-witted fellow; liar; nonsense · Yotaro (rakugo character)
servant; valet; menial
vassals; retainers; followers
young man; boy; son (of one's master/employer) · husband; lover; dear; darling
kappa; water imp
watchman; night watchman
fisherman
consul