(zhāo) — clear, obvious, manifest; to make clear, to show

Definition

A formal, written bound form meaning 'clear, obvious,' almost always appearing inside set phrases like 昭示 or 昭雪 rather than standing alone.

bound form
clearobviousmanifestto make clearto show

Examples

  • Zhè yí shì jiàn zhāo shì le shè huì de biàn huà.
    This event clearly shows the changes in society.
  • Tā de yuān qū zhōng yú dé dào zhāo xuě.
    His grievance was finally redressed.
  • Zhēn xiàng zhāo rán ruò jiē, wú fǎ yǐn mán.
    The truth is as clear as day and cannot be hidden.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
sun
Sound part声符shēngfú
zhàozhāo
Same sound today

昭 combines 日, meaning sun, with 召, which provides the sound.

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