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Kotomora

賞

prize, reward, praise

JLPTN2StatusJōyō · grade 5FrequencyTop 500Strokes15

Readings

On'yomi

  • ショウ

Kun'yomi

  • ほ.める

Meaning

賞 centers on giving something valuable in recognition of merit: a prize, a reward, or praise. The idea is acknowledging worth with a tangible or verbal gift.

Most common words using 賞

21 of 147
  • 賞しょう
    N3

    prize; award

  • 受賞じゅしょう
    N2

    winning a prize; receiving an award; being awarded

  • 鑑賞かんしょう
    N2

    appreciation (of art, music, poetry, etc.)

  • 大賞たいしょう

    big prize; first prize

  • 賞金しょうきん
    N2

    prize money; monetary award; reward

  • 賞賛しょうさん

    praise; admiration; commendation; approbation; applause

  • 入賞にゅうしょう
    N1

    winning a prize; placing (high; in a contest)

  • 懸賞けんしょう
    N1

    offering a prize; prize competition; prize; reward

  • 賞品しょうひん
    N2

    prize; trophy

  • 観賞かんしょう
    N1

    admiration; appreciation; enjoyment; viewing (for pleasure)

  • 授賞じゅしょう

    awarding a prize; giving an award

  • 賞与しょうよ

    bonus

  • 賞状しょうじょう
    N1

    certificate of merit; testimonial

  • 褒賞ほうしょう

    prize; award; reward

  • 副賞ふくしょう

    supplementary prize; additional prize; auxiliary prize; bonus prize

  • 賞罰しょうばつ
    N1

    reward and punishment

  • 授賞式じゅしょうしき

    award ceremony; prize-giving

  • 賞牌しょうはい

    medal

  • ノーベル賞ノーベルしょう
    N2

    Nobel Prize

  • 賞味期限しょうみきげん
    N2

    best-before date (on food); use-by date; expiry date; expiration date

  • アカデミー賞アカデミーしょう

    Academy Award

Explore all words using 賞 →

Study

Etymology

賞 combines 貝 (shell, representing money or valuables) with a phonetic component that also suggests giving. The character originally expressed bestowing a reward or prize.

Meaning mnemonic

The bottom is 貝 (shell, an ancient currency). The top looks like a little roof or covering. Imagine a valuable shell being presented under a ceremonial cover as a prize or reward.

Reading mnemonic

For ショウ, picture a show where winners are praised and given prizes: show -> ショウ, and the 貝 (valuables) are handed out on stage.