Japanese Symbol for
青春seishun
youth · adolescence · springtime of life
Readings
Meaning
Youth, adolescence, the springtime of life. 青春 literally means "blue spring" — 青 (blue/green, the color of unripe things) + 春 (spring). The blue-green of new growth represents the vitality and inexperience of youth.
Example words
若者
wakamono
young person, youth
青年
seinen
youth, young man
若い
wakai
young
青春時代
seishun jidai
one's youth, school days
若気の至り
wakage no itari
youthful indiscretion, foolishness of youth
青春18きっぷ
Seishun Jūhachi Kippu
JR rail pass (youth travel spirit)
青春 (seishun) is deeply embedded in Japanese culture — the 青春18きっぷ (Seishun Jūhachi Kippu) is JR's famous cheap rail pass used by students and adventurous travelers. 青春小説 (seishun shōsetsu — coming-of-age novels) and 青春アニメ (seishun anime) form their own beloved genre. The bittersweet feeling of watching youth pass is captured in the concept of 物の哀れ (mono no aware).
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