1. Kanji Breakdown: 狀 (Traditional) / 状 (Simplified)
This kanji represents the concept of form, state, or an official document.
Meaning: Form, shape, state, condition; a document, a letter, a certificate.
Reading:
Onyomi (Sino-Japanese reading): ジョウ (jou)
Kunyomi (Native Japanese reading): None in common modern use.
The kanji is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字). It consists of two parts:
Left (爿): This is a simplified form of a radical depicting a "bed" or a "piece of wood," which here gives a sense of a base or a foundation upon which something rests.
Right (犬): This means "dog."
The original meaning is debated, but one common interpretation is that it depicted a "dog lying on its side," capturing a specific "form" or "posture." This idea of a visible form or state evolved to mean:
A physical or abstract "form" or "condition."
A "document" that formally states a condition or an event.
2. Stroke Order and Writing
Learning the correct stroke order is crucial for balanced and beautiful kanji. "状" has 7 strokes.
Here is the stroke order diagram and explanation:
Total Strokes: 7
Start with the left vertical stroke.
The left-falling stroke.
The horizontal stroke.
The right vertical stroke.
The right-falling stroke.
The left-falling stroke.
The final dot.
Key Writing Tips:
Write from left to right, top to bottom.
The left part (爿) is written first.
The right part "犬" (dog) should be balanced with the left side. Pay attention to the final dot (stroke 7), which is crucial.
The overall character should be square and stable.
3. Vocabulary and Example Sentences
Here are some common words using "状" and how to use them in sentences.
Vocabulary
状態 (じょうたい, jōtai)
Meaning: State, condition, situation.
Example: 患者の状態は安定している。
Romaji: Kanja no jōtai wa antei shite iru.
English: The patient's condition is stable.
状況 (じょうきょう, jōkyō)
Meaning: Situation, circumstances, state of affairs.
Example: 今の状況を説明してください。
Romaji: Ima no jōkyō o setsumei shite kudasai.
English: Please explain the current situation.
賞状 (しょうじょう, shōjō)
Meaning: Certificate (of merit), award.
Example: 卒業式で賞状をもらった。
Romaji: Sotsugyōshiki de shōjō o moratta.
English: I received a certificate at the graduation ceremony.
形状 (けいじょう, keijō)
Meaning: Shape, form.
例文: この石は面白い形状をしている。
Romaji: Kono ishi wa omoshiroi keijō o shite iru.
English: This stone has an interesting shape.
症状 (しょうじょう, shōjō)
Meaning: Symptom (of a disease).
Example: 風邪の症状が出始めた。
Romaji: Kaze no shōjō ga dehajimeta.
English: I'm starting to show symptoms of a cold.
招待状 (しょうたいじょう, shōtaijō)
Meaning: Invitation, invitation card.
Example: 結婚式の招待状が届いた。
Romaji: Kekkonshiki no shōtaijō ga todoita.
English: The wedding invitation arrived.
Summary
Kanji: 状
Core Meaning: Form, State, Condition; Document.
Readings: On'yomi ジョウ (jou)
Stroke Order: 7 strokes. Remember it's composed of the "bed/base" radical (爿) and "dog" (犬).
This kanji is essential for describing conditions, situations, and various types of formal documents. By mastering its stroke order and vocabulary, you will be able to correctly write and use this highly useful character.