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Kotomora

醬

any jam-like or paste-like food

StatusJinmeiyōStrokes18

Readings

On'yomi

  • ショウ

Kun'yomi

  • ひしお

Meaning

醬 centers on thick, savory pastes and jams, especially fermented condiments like miso or soy-based sauces. The meaning extends naturally to any jam-like or paste-like food.

Study

Etymology

醬 combines 將 (which likely contributes the sound) with 酉 (a jar or vessel for fermentation), suggesting a fermented paste stored in a jar. The exact historical development of the 將 component is complex, but the phono-semantic structure is broadly accepted.

Meaning mnemonic

The top 將 looks like a general overseeing things, and the bottom 酉 is a jar. Imagine a general inspecting a jar of thick, savory miso paste—醬 is that jam-like fermented food.

Reading mnemonic

For ショウ, picture a general showing off a jar of paste: show -> ショウ, and the general proudly displays the 醬.