状じょう

noun, noun, used as a suffix

shape; form; appearance; -shaped

Often used as the suffix 〜状 to mean that something has a particular shape, form, or appearance, as in 帯状, 環状, 粒状, or ゼリー状.

See also: 帯状

• 雲くもが空そらに帯おび状じょうに広ひろがっていた。

  Clouds were spread across the sky in a band-like shape.

• 薬くすりは白しろい粉ふん状じょうになっている。

  The medicine is in the form of a white powder.

noun, noun, used as a suffix

state; condition; circumstances

Used mostly in compounds or suffix-like formations to describe a state or condition, such as 病状, 液状, or 現状. Standalone 状 in this sense is comparatively formal or limited.

• 医い師しは父ちちの病びょう状じょうを詳くわしく説せつ明めいした。

  The doctor explained my father's condition in detail.

• チョコレートは暑あつさで液えき状じょうになった。

  The chocolate became liquid in the heat.

noun, noun, used as a suffix

letter; written notice; correspondence

Common as a suffix in words for written communications, such as 招待状, 案内状, 礼状, and 賞状. As a standalone noun meaning 'letter,' it sounds more formal or old-fashioned than 手紙.

See also: 招待状

• 結けっ婚こん式しきの招しょう待たい状じょうが届とどいた。

  An invitation to the wedding arrived.

• お世せ話わになった先せん生せいに礼れい状じょうを書かいた。

  I wrote a thank-you letter to the teacher who had helped me.