昭
shining, bright
Readings
On'yomi
- ショウ
Kun'yomi
—
Nanori
- あき
- あきら
- かず
- かずみ
- てる
Meaning
昭 centers on light that is clear and visible: something shining or bright. It is often used for obvious, manifest brightness rather than a soft glow.
Most common words using 昭
20 of 24- 昭和しょうわN1
Shōwa era (1926.12.25-1989.1.7)
- 昭しょう
nth year in the Shōwa era (1926.12.25-1989.1.7)
- 昭和大学しょうわだいがく
Showa University
- 昭和女子大学しょうわじょしだいがく
Shouwa Women's University
- 昭代しょうだい
glorious reign; enlightened era
- 昭和の日しょうわのひ
Shōwa Day (national holiday; April 29); Showa Day
- 昭和アルミニウムしょうわアルミニウム
Showa Aluminum Corporation
- 昭和レトロしょうわレトロ
Shōwa retro; Shōwa era-style; reminiscent of the Shōwa era; Shōwa-nostalgic
- 昭和一桁しょうわひとけた
(generation born in) the first nine years of the Shōwa period (1926-1934)
- 昭和元禄しょうわげんろく
the flourishing mid-Shōwa period (1960s and early 1970s) of peace, rapid economic growth, and life of ease
- 昭和史しょうわし
history of the Shōwa period (1926-1989)
- 昭和基地しょうわきち
Shōwa Station (Antarctica); Showa Station; Syowa Station
- 昭和天皇しょうわてんのう
Emperor Shōwa (1901-1989, reigned 1926-1989); Emperor Showa; Emperor Hirohito
- 昭和恐慌しょうわきょうこう
Shōwa Depression (Japanese part of the Great Depression)
- 昭和時代しょうわじだい
Shōwa period (1926-1989); Showa period
- 昭和維新しょうわいしん
Shōwa restoration (call for Imperial restoration by militarists in the 1930s)
- 昭和美術館しょうわびじゅつかん
Showa Museum of Art
- 昭和薬科大学しょうわやっかだいがく
Showa Pharmaceutical University
- 昭和音楽大学しょうわおんがくだいがく
Showa Academia Musicae
- 昭昭しょうしょう
clear; bright; plain; obvious
Study
Etymology
昭 combines 日 (sun) with 召, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of calling or summoning, together suggesting the sun's light being called forth or made manifest.
Meaning mnemonic
The sun 日 on the left and 召 (which looks like a call or summon) on the right: imagine the sun being summoned to shine brightly, making everything clear and bright.
Reading mnemonic
For ショウ, picture a bright show on stage: show -> ショウ, and the spotlight shines brightly on the performer.