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Kotomora

徴

indications, sign, omen, symptom, collect, seek, refer to, question

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 1,000Strokes14

Readings

On'yomi

  • チョウ
  • チ

Kun'yomi

  • しるし

Meaning

徴 centers on outward signs that reveal something hidden: an indication, omen, or symptom. The meanings of collecting, seeking, or questioning extend from the idea of drawing out or calling forth such signs.

Most common words using 徴

20 of 65
  • 特徴とくちょう
    N3

    feature; trait; characteristic; peculiarity; distinction

  • 象徴しょうちょう
    N1

    symbol (of something abstract); emblem; (symbolic) representation

  • 徴収ちょうしゅう
    N1

    collection (of fees, taxes, etc.); levy

  • 徴兵ちょうへい
    N1

    conscription; (military) draft; (compulsory) enlistment

  • 徴用ちょうよう

    drafting; requisition; impressment; commandeering; expropriation

  • 徴しるし

    sign; indication; omen

  • 徴ち

    fourth degree (of the Japanese and Chinese pentatonic scale)

  • 徴ちょう

    sign; indication; symptom

  • 徴税ちょうぜい

    tax collection; taxation

  • 追徴ついちょう

    supplementary charge; additional collection

  • 徴発ちょうはつ

    requisition; commandeering

  • 徴募ちょうぼ

    enlistment; recruitment

  • 性徴せいちょう

    sexual characteristics

  • 追徴金ついちょうきん

    additional collection; additional imposition; surcharge; forfeit; penalty

  • 象徴的しょうちょうてき

    symbolic; symbolical

  • 課徴金かちょうきん

    charges (i.e. fees)

  • 徴集ちょうしゅう

    levying; requisitioning; compulsory enlistment; recruitment; conscription

  • ファロー四徴症ファローしちょうしょう

    tetralogy of Fallot

  • 古史徴こしちょう

    References to Ancient History (by Hirata Atsutane, 1818)

  • 国民徴用令こくみんちょうようれい

    National Requisition Ordinance (1939)

Explore all words using 徴 →

Study

Etymology

徴 is the modern simplified form of 徵. The older form combines 彳 (movement) with 徵, which likely contributed the sound and the idea of summoning or calling forth signs. The modern simplification replaces the complex middle with a compact 山王 shape.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 彳 suggests movement, and the right side 攵 suggests an action. In the middle, 山 (mountain) over 王 (king) can be seen as a royal mountain where signs and omens are sought. Picture a king climbing a mountain to collect indications of the future.

Reading mnemonic

For チョウ, imagine a long-serving chief named Chou standing on a mountain, seeking signs: Chou -> チョウ, and the chief collects omens.