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Kotomora

肇

beginning

JLPTN1StatusJinmeiyōFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes14

Readings

On'yomi

  • チョウ
  • ジョウ
  • トウ

Kun'yomi

  • はじ.める
  • はじめ

Nanori

  • とし
  • ただし
  • はつ

Meaning

肇 centers on the act of starting something new: a beginning, an inauguration, or the first step of an endeavor.

Most common words using 肇

  • 御肇国天皇はつくにしらすすめらみこと

    first emperor to rule the land (title of Emperor Sujin)

  • 肇国ちょうこく

    founding of a state

  • 肇歳ちょうさい

    beginning of the year

  • 肇造ちょうぞう

    establishment; creation (e.g. of a country); foundation

Explore all words using 肇 →

Study

Etymology

肇 combines 聿 (a hand holding a brush, associated with writing or establishing) with 戸 and 攵 (a hand with a stick, suggesting action or striking). Together they convey the idea of formally initiating or founding something.

Meaning mnemonic

The top part looks like a door (戸) being struck (攵) to open it, while the bottom 聿 is a brush writing the first stroke. Picture opening a new door and writing the first character to mark the beginning.

Reading mnemonic

For チョウ, imagine a chief named Chou ceremonially opening a new building: Chou -> チョウ, and his action marks the beginning.