Save Gender Feminine Usage Japanese Pronounced Pron. REE-TSOO-YO [key] Meaning & History From 立 (ritsu) meaning "erect, rise, set up, stand", 栗 (ritsu) meaning "chestnut", or 律 (ritsu) meaning "law, ratio" combined with 代 (yo) meaning "generation" or 世 (yo) meaning "world". Other kanji combinations are possible.