伯仲叔季

bózhòngshūjì

idiom

Meanings

1 the order of seniority among brothers (eldest, second, third, youngest)
2 ranking by age and rank

Characters

second of brothers

third of brothers; uncle

youngest; season

Examples

古人按伯仲叔季给儿子排行。

Gǔrén àn bózhòngshūjì gěi érzi páiháng.

The ancients ranked their sons according to bo-zhong-shu-ji (eldest to youngest).

兄弟四人，伯仲叔季，各有所长。

Xiōngdì sì rén, bózhòngshūjì, gè yǒu suǒ cháng.

The four brothers — eldest, second, third, and youngest — each had their own strengths.

Tips

history

Recorded in 《左传·昭公二十六年》: "亦唯伯仲叔季图之" — the four characters mark the four positions of seniority among brothers in classical Chinese naming. You'll often see them embedded in given names: 伯夷 Bóyí (eldest brother Yí), 仲尼 Zhòngní (Confucius, the second son).

memory

Memorize the order: 伯 bó = eldest, 仲 zhòng = second, 叔 shū = third (same character as "uncle" — your father's younger brother is 叔叔 shūshu), 季 jì = youngest.

Stroke Order

伯 bó

仲 zhòng

叔 shū

季 jì