The Kanji: 唱 (Shō / Tona)
The kanji 唱 means "to chant," "to recite," or "to advocate." It combines 口 (mouth) with 昌 (prosperous), originally depicting vocal expressions of prosperity. This character represents vocal performance and ideological promotion.
Common Words & Example Sentences
1. 唱歌 (shōka) - School song
子供たちが唱歌を歌う。
"Children sing school songs."
2. 合唱 (gasshō) - Chorus
クラスで合唱を練習する。
"Practice chorus with the class."
3. 提唱 (teishō) - Advocacy
平和を提唱する。
"Advocate for peace."
4. 唱える (tonaeru) - To chant
お経を唱える。
"Chant Buddhist sutras."
In summary, 唱 describes vocal expressions - from musical performance (唱歌, 合唱) and religious chanting (唱える) to ideological promotion (提唱). It connects voice with expression in Japanese culture.