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Kotomora

将

leader, commander, general, admiral, or, and again, soon, from now on, just about

JLPTN2StatusJōyō · grade 6FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes10

Readings

On'yomi

  • ショウ
  • ソウ

Kun'yomi

  • まさ.に
  • はた
  • まさ
  • ひきい.る
  • もって

Nanori

  • かつ
  • かつり
  • すすむ
  • たか
  • ゆき

Meaning

将 centers on a person who leads or commands, such as a general or admiral. The other meanings—soon, from now on, just about—extend from the idea of taking the lead in time or action.

Most common words using 将

20 of 143
  • 将来しょうらい
    N5

    future; (future) prospects

  • 将軍しょうぐん
    N1

    general

  • 将棋しょうぎ
    N2

    shogi; Japanese chess

  • 将しょう

    commander; general; leader

  • 大将たいしょう

    general; admiral

  • 武将ぶしょう

    military commander

  • 将校しょうこう

    commissioned officer; military officer

  • 王将おうしょう

    (senior player's) king

  • 女将おかみ

    proprietress (of a traditional Japanese inn, restaurant, or shop); landlady; hostess; mistress; female innkeeper

  • 主将しゅしょう

    commander-in-chief; supreme commander

  • 名将めいしょう

    great commander; famous commander

  • 少将しょうしょう

    major general; rear admiral; air commodore

  • 中将ちゅうじょう

    lieutenant general; vice-admiral

  • 将官しょうかん

    general; admiral

  • 詰将棋つめしょうぎ

    (constructed) shogi problem; shogi puzzle

  • 大将軍たいしょうぐん

    commander-in-chief

  • 将軍家しょうぐんけ

    family positioned to accede to the shogunate

  • 将兵しょうへい

    officers and men

  • 征夷大将軍せいいたいしょうぐん

    commander-in-chief of the expeditionary force against the barbarians (beginning in 794 CE)

  • 冬将軍ふゆしょうぐん

    General Winter; hard winter; Jack Frost

Explore all words using 将 →

Study

Etymology

将 is the modern simplified form of 將. The older form combines 爿 (a bed or board) with a hand holding meat (寸 over 肉), suggesting an offering or leading. The modern form simplifies the right side to 寸.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 丬 looks like a commanding figure standing tall, and the right side 寸 suggests a hand giving orders. Together, 将 is a leader directing others.

Reading mnemonic

For ショウ, picture a general giving a show of force: show -> ショウ, and the general leads the troops.