write
書 centers on the act of writing: putting marks down to record or communicate. It extends naturally to written works like books and documents.
書 combines 聿 (a hand holding a brush) with 曰 (to speak), suggesting writing down spoken words. The modern form preserves this brush-and-speech idea.
The top 聿 looks like a hand holding a brush, and the bottom 曰 represents words. Picture a hand writing down spoken words with a brush: that is 書, to write.
For ショ, imagine a show where a calligrapher writes beautiful characters on stage: show -> ショ, and the brush dances across the paper.
to write; to compose; to pen
book; publication
document; writing; letter; papers; notes; records; archives
library
document; papers
bookshop; bookstore
textbook; coursebook; schoolbook
reading (books)
(private) secretary
Bible; the Scriptures; Holy Writ
writing
scrawl; scribble; graffiti; doodle
dictionary; lexicon
(written) work; book; writings
handwriting
books
way of writing; manner of writing
new book
main text
postcard
official document; archives
book; volume
calligraphy (esp. Asian calligraphy based on Chinese characters)
title (e.g. Doctor, Professor, Lord); job title; position (in a company); degree; status; rank
document (of proof); certificate; paper; bond; deed
document; letter
note left by a dead person; suicide note; testamentary letter; will; testament
study; library
white paper (government report)
protocol; written evidence; record (investigation, interrogation, etc.); preliminary memo; charge sheet
clerk; secretary
book review
reading and writing
to fill in (field, entry, etc.); to fill out (form)
typeface
study; library; den; home office; reading room
old book; rare book; classic
letter; note; epistle; correspondence
librarian
prescribed form (of writing); format
collection of books; (personal) library
afterword; postscript
draft; rough copy
synopsis; outline; plot
to rewrite; to overwrite; to renew; to transfer
Western book
memo; memorandum; note
(written) application; written request; petition
drawing room; study; writing alcove
historical document; archives; old manuscript; paleograph
registered mail; registered post; registration (of mail)
letter (e.g. of complaint); letter to the editor; letter from a reader
picture postcard
writing horizontally; horizontal writing
original document (not a copy or adaptation); book in its original language (esp. a European language)
to write out; to make a fair copy; to rewrite
book title
secretary
bookshelf; bookcase
fair copy; clean copy
sealed letter
calligrapher; individual with good penmanship
printed style (of writing Chinese characters); square style; block style; standard style
to finish writing; to complete
post office box
highly cursive style (of writing Chinese characters); grass style
preface; foreword; preamble
written word; written language
message (delivered by the US president or a state governor); address
writing down from other written material; writing kanji text from hiragana
scribbling; scrawl; hasty writing
first calligraphy of the year
official letter (from the Emperor, Prime Minister, etc.); personal message
imperial edict; decree
writing down what one hears; account of what one hears
written pledge; signed note of assurance; memorandum; legal instrument
reference book; study-aid book; supplemental textbook; student handbook
library (usu. single-room); small library
(written) report
(written) contract; agreement
personal history document; curriculum vitae; resume
handbook; manual; guide; primer
to write down (what someone says); to take down dictation; to take notes (e.g. of a lecture)
secretariat
bibliography (study of books); bibliology
(written) application; application form
private document
writing vertically; vertical writing
certificate; credentials; testimonial
(printed) instructions; manual; explanatory leaflet (pamphlet, note); description
bill; account; invoice
protocol
identification papers; piece of identification; identity document; ID
formal receipt (of payment; oft. hand-written)