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一寸. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
一寸, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
一寸 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
一寸 you have here. The definition of the word
一寸 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
一寸, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Japanese
Etymology 1
From Middle Chinese compound 一寸 (yit tshwonH, literally “one thumb, one inch”).
Pronunciation
Noun
一寸 • (issun)
- one sun: a unit of length equivalent to a tenth of a 尺 (shaku, traditional Japanese foot as a unit of length), or approximately 3.03 centimeters
- a short amount of time, distance, or mass
Derived terms
- 一寸先 (issun saki): just a little bit ahead, just a moment in the future
Idioms
Idioms
- 一寸先は闇 (issun saki wa yami): “just a moment in the future is darkness” → the future is unknowable
- 一寸の光陰軽んずべからず (issun no kōin karonzu bekarazu): “a moment of light and dark should not be taken lightly” → every moment is precious
- 一寸の虫にも五分の魂 (issun no mushi ni mo gobu no tamashii): “even a bug only an inch long is half soul” → even the smallest is worthy of respect
- 一寸下は地獄 (issun shita wa jigoku): “an inch below is hell” → an allusion to the dangers of being on a boat, where only an inch of wood is between oneself and the deep ocean
- 一寸延びれば尋延びる (issun nobireba hiro nobiru): “if it'll stretch an inch, it'll stretch for six feet” → if one can just get past the hardest part, the rest is relatively easy
Etymology 2
| For pronunciation and definitions of 一寸 – see the following entry.
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| (This term, 一寸, is an alternative spelling (uncommon) of the above term.)
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References