壮
robust, manhood, prosperity
Readings
On'yomi
- ソウ
Kun'yomi
- さかん
Nanori
- つよし
Meaning
壮 centers on vigorous strength and fullness: robust health, mature manhood, and thriving prosperity. The common thread is a state of peak vitality and flourishing.
Most common words using 壮
20 of 46- 壮大そうだいN1
magnificent; grand; majestic; splendid
- 壮絶そうぜつ
heroic; fierce; grand; sublime; magnificent
- 壮そう
vibrancy; strength; bravery; manliness
- 壮年そうねん
prime of life
- 壮観そうかん
magnificent spectacle; thrilling sight; grand view
- 悲壮ひそう
tragic but brave; heroic; grim
- 壮行そうこう
(rousing) send-off; farewell
- 強壮きょうそう
able-bodied; robust; sturdy; strong
- 壮麗そうれい
magnificent; grand; splendid; imposing
- 大言壮語たいげんそうご
big talk; boasting; bragging
- 豪壮ごうそう
splendour; splendor; magnificence; grandeur
- 壮烈そうれつ
heroic; brave
- 勇壮ゆうそう
heroic; brave; majestic; soul-stirring; lively; gallant
- 壮挙そうきょ
ambitious (heroic) undertaking; daring enterprise; grand scheme
- 壮とするそうとする
to admire (someone's courage); to approve of (someone's ambition)
- 壮丁そうてい
youth; young man who has reached adulthood (conscription age)
- 壮健そうけん
healthy; robust
- 壮図そうと
ambitious undertaking; grand scheme
- 壮士そうし
young man in his prime; swaggerer; ruffian
- 壮大華麗そうだいかれい
grandiose and splendid
Study
Etymology
壮 is the modern simplified form of 壯. The older form combines 士 (scholar, man) with 爿, which likely contributed the sound and reinforced the idea of a strong, grown man. The modern left component 丬 is a simplification of 爿.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 丬 resembles a strong bed or board, and the right side 士 is a scholar or warrior. Picture a robust man standing firm like a sturdy bedframe, embodying strength and prosperity.
Reading mnemonic
For ソウ, imagine a robust man sowing seeds in a field: sow -> ソウ, and his strength makes the crops prosper.