章
badge, chapter, composition, poem, design
Readings
On'yomi
- ショウ
Kun'yomi
—
Nanori
- あき
- あきら
- あや
- ふみ
Meaning
章 centers on a clear, structured mark or section: a badge or emblem that identifies, a chapter or composition that organizes writing, and a design or poem that arranges elements into a coherent whole.
Most common words using 章
20 of 124- 章しょうN3
chapter; section
- 文章ぶんしょうN5
writing; composition; essay; article; passage; prose; (writing) style
- 勲章くんしょう
decoration; order; medal
- 紋章もんしょう
crest; coat of arms
- 楽章がくしょう
movement
- 憲章けんしょう
charter
- 序章じょしょう
preface; foreword; introduction; introductory chapter
- 終章しゅうしょう
final chapter; last chapter; last section (of a book, essay, song etc.); epilogue
- 褒章ほうしょう
medal of honour; medal of merit
- 印章いんしょう
stamp; seal
- 記章きしょう
medal; badge; insignia
- 星章せいしょう
star (badge)
- 受章じゅしょう
reception of a decoration; reception of an order
- 日章旗にっしょうき
national flag of Japan
- 腕章わんしょう
armband; arm band; brassard
- 校章こうしょう
school badge; school emblem; school insignia
- 肩章けんしょう
shoulder mark; shoulder board; epaulette; epaulet
- 断章だんしょう
literary fragment
- 本章ほんしょう
this chapter
- 紫綬褒章しじゅほうしょう
Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon (awarded for scholarly or artistic achievement)
Study
Etymology
章 combines 音 (sound) and 十 (ten), originally suggesting a complete musical piece or a clear pattern. Over time it came to mean a distinct section, badge, or design.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 立 stands for standing out, and the bottom 早 suggests early clarity. Imagine a bright badge pinned to a chapter heading, making the design stand out clearly.
Reading mnemonic
For ショウ, picture a show where each chapter has a unique badge design: show -> ショウ, and the badge marks each act.