status quo, conditions, circumstances, form, appearance
状 centers on the visible or describable state of something: its form, appearance, conditions, or circumstances. The idea of "status quo" is a specific application of a current condition.
状 is the modern simplified form of 狀. The older form combines 爿 (a bed or board) with 犬 (dog), which together likely expressed the idea of a form or shape, possibly from a dog's posture or a written document. The exact historical development is uncertain.
The left side 丬 suggests a board or frame, and the right side 犬 is a dog. Imagine a dog striking a pose on a board, showing its form and appearance—that's the state of things.
For ジョウ, picture a dog (犬) showing its form while wearing a tiny "Joe" name tag: Joe -> ジョウ, and the dog's appearance tells you its condition.
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state; condition; situation; appearance; circumstances
state of affairs; situation; conditions; circumstances
form; shape; appearance
present condition; existing state; status quo; current state
symptoms; condition (of a patient)
shape; form
thyroid (gland)
New Year's card
annulation; ring shape; loop shape
condition of a patient; state of a disease; pathology
warrant; summons; written order
disastrous scene; terrible spectacle
confession
petition; complaint; (legal) brief
certificate of merit; testimonial
distress; wretched condition
something wrong; something unusual; abnormality; disorder; trouble; change
acknowledgment; acknowledgement; letter of thanks
testimonial; certificate of commendation
granular; granulated
licence; license; certificate; permit
situation report; status report; progress report
New Year's card