ride, power, multiplication, record, counter for vehicles, board, mount, join
乗 centers on the idea of getting onto or into something and being carried along: riding a vehicle, boarding, or mounting. The extended senses of power, multiplication, and record come from the notion of something being added on top or carried forward.
to get on (train, plane, bus, ship, etc.); to get in; to board; to take; to embark
riding; ride
to place on (something)
to give one's name (as); to introduce oneself (as)
passenger
transfer (trains, buses, etc.); change; connection
boarding (a train, bus, etc.); getting into (e.g. a taxi)
embarkation; boarding (a ship or aircraft)
taking advantage of (an opportunity); jumping on the bandwagon
vehicle; conveyance; (means of) transport
crew member; crewman; crew
adding (an extra amount); increasing; tacking on (a charge)
to board (a train, plane, etc.); to get into (a car); to get on (a bus); to go on board; to get aboard
takeover (of a company, etc.)
(passenger) car; automobile
giving one's name; self-introduction
horse riding; horseback riding; mounting a horse
to climb over; to get over; to cross (a mountain)
to transfer (trains); to change (bus, train)
to weather (a storm, rough seas); to ride across; to sail across
place for boarding vehicles; bus stop; bus terminal; railway platform; taxi stand; jetty; wharf
to take advantage of; to follow blindly
riding together; riding with
interest; eagerness; enthusiasm
乗 is thought to originally depict a person climbing onto a tree or vehicle, with the modern form retaining a stylized person-like shape over a base. The exact historical development is somewhat uncertain.
The top part looks like a person with legs spread, and the bottom part resembles a vehicle or platform. Picture someone stepping onto a bus: 乗 means to ride or board.
For ジョウ, imagine a jolly person named Joe who loves to ride everything: Joe -> ジョウ, and he's always boarding something.