年功序列
ねんこうじょれつ seniority by length of service
Why it means this
年功 (seniority) + 序列 (ranking order) — the system of promoting and paying by length of service rather than merit.
Breakdown
- 年 とし year, counter for years
- 功 いさお achievement, merits, success
- 序 ジョ preface, beginning, order
- 列 レツ file, row, rank
Each character links to its full entry — origin story, stroke order, and readings.