Definitions

zhāo (adjective) bright; clear
zhāo (verb) to show clearly; to manifest

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

昭 is a phono-semantic compound. The semantic radical 日 (sun) on the left contributes the concept of light or day, while the phonetic component 召 (zhào) on the right provides the pronunciation. Its original meaning relates to sunlight, conveying brightness or clear visibility. This sense of bringing something to light led to extended uses meaning to make obvious, display virtue, or reveal a truth publicly. In the context of ancestral temples, 昭 specifically denotes the alternating arrangement of spirit tablets, indicating the generational sequence placed on the left side of the main altar.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 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 Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的行动示了诚意。

Tā de xíngdòng zhāoshì le chéngyì.

His actions demonstrate sincerity.

阳光示新的一天开始。

Yángguāng zhāoshì xīn de yī tiān kāishǐ.

Sunlight heralds the start of a new day.

这个标志示着危险。

Zhège biāozhì zhāoshì zhe wēixiǎn.

This sign indicates danger.

雪冤屈需要时间。

Zhāoxuě yuānqū xūyào shíjiān.

Clearing wrongful accusations takes time.

他的罪行彰,难以掩盖。

Tā de zuìxíng zhāozhāng, nányǐ yǎngài.

His crimes are evident and hard to cover up.

告天下,以示公正。

Zhāogào tiānxià, yǐ shì gōngzhèng.

Announce to the world to show justice.

历史示我们不忘过去。

Lìshǐ zhāoshì wǒmen bù wàng guòqù.

History reminds us not to forget the past.

他的成就著,备受尊敬。

Tā de chéngjiù zhāozhù, bèi shòu zūnjìng.

His achievements are prominent, and he is highly respected.