

In the manga [_Osu!!
Karatebu_](http://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=43102) the word "osu" is
used quite frequently, and from context I have so far assumed that it is a way
for the junior members of the karate club to respond to their seniors in a
general "yes, sir" way. However, I recently came across this panel which
presents a quite different take on the word:

![Morigami Shingo on "osu"](https://i.stack.imgur.com/E97Id.png)

What is the significance of Shingo's particular dialogue about "osu?" Is it a
typical philosophy of the character, karate, or a mix of the two? Why is it so
different from how it is used elsewhere in the manga?


CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-17T23:35:09.613
23338
2015-07-18T01:07:16.750
2015-07-18T01:07:16.750
11562
11562
question
japanese-language osu-karatebu
How does Shingo's use of "osu" in this particular dialogue differ from its use elsewhere?


You make an overly broad assumption with this particular word. "Ossu" here is
talked about not as a salutation here, but for a deeper more philosophical
meaning in general.

Ossu, is made of of two kanji:

[押]{おっ} and [忍]{す}. 押 by itself loosely translates to the action of apply
pressure to something, such as pushing. 忍 means endurance or restraint.

The dialogue by the character here breaks down the literal meaning of the word
and uses the two kanji as a philosophy of sorts. It's like using the word
embodiment of a word as a sort of ambition or goal to live by.

In this case the spirit of Ossu is made up of these two kanji. The meaning
here is to apply them meaning of those to your own life and when you use them
remember their meaning so that it may carry you further, whenever or wherever
you may need it, like a mantra.


CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-18T00:56:33.790
23342
2015-07-18T00:56:33.790
63
23338
answer