召

shào, zhào

刀 + 口

Definitions

zhào (verb) to summon; to call together; to convene

zhào (noun) temple; monastery

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 刀 represents the sound.

Semantic: 口 Phonetic: 刀

About

The character 召 is a phonosemantic compound: 刀 (dāo, knife) is placed over 口 (mouth). 口, meaning mouth, points to speech and summoning, while 刀 provides the sound. Originally, it meant to call people together, summon subordinates, or convene a formal assembly. Over time, it became closely tied to imperial edicts, specifically an emperor or high official summoning subjects to court. Today, it is widely used in administrative and legal contexts for formally convoking a meeting, issuing a subpoena, or rallying people for a cause or duty.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

妈妈召唤孩子回家。

Māma zhàohuàn háizi huí jiā.

Mom calls the child to come home.

学校召开家长会。

Xuéxiào zhàokāi jiāzhǎnghuì.

The school convenes a parents' meeting.

班长召集同学们开会。

Bānzhǎng zhàojí tóngxuémen kāihuì.

The class monitor gathers the classmates for a meeting.

总统召见外国大使。

Zǒngtǒng zhàojiàn wàiguó dàshǐ.

The president summons the foreign ambassador.

政府号召市民节约用水。

Zhèngfǔ hàozhào shìmín jiéyuē yòngshuǐ.

The government calls on citizens to save water.

军队征召年轻士兵。

Jūnduì zhēngzhào niánqīng shìbīng.

The army conscripts young soldiers.

在紧急情况下，政府召回了所有休假官员。

Zài jǐnjí qíngkuàng xià, zhèngfǔ zhàohuíle suǒyǒu xiūjià guānyuán.

In an emergency, the government recalled all officials on leave.

国际组织号召全球合作应对气候变化。

Guójì zǔzhī hàozhào quánqiú hézuò yìngduì qìhòu biànhuà.

International organizations call for global cooperation to address climate change.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 刀

Component: 口

Example Words