將
commander, general, admiral
Readings
On'yomi
- ショウ
- ソウ
Kun'yomi
- まさ.に
- はた
- ひきい.る
- もって
Nanori
- まさる
Meaning
將 centers on a person who leads and directs others in a military context: a commander, general, or admiral.
Study
Etymology
將 is the traditional form of 将. It combines 爿 (a bed or board) with a right side that historically represented a hand holding a piece of meat, suggesting offering or leading. The exact development is complex, but the character has long been associated with leadership and command.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 爿 looks like a sturdy platform or bed. Picture a commander standing on that platform, giving orders to troops. The right side resembles a hand holding something, like a baton of command.
Reading mnemonic
For ショウ, imagine the commander giving a short, sharp 'Show!' order to his troops: Show -> ショウ, and the general demands a display of readiness.