承 means “accept, consent”

しょう · shou

Also: acquiesce, hear, listen to, be informed

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

うけたまわる, うける

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ショウ, ジョウ

JLPT N2 · Taught in grade 6 · 8 strokes

The story

Its oldest forms show hands lifting up a kneeling figure: to receive, to take on. 承知しました is the polite "understood" of every Japanese office, and 起承転結 is the four-part arc of a classic four-panel manga.

Used in 承知 (shouchi, understanding/consent), 了承 (ryoushou, approval), and 承る (uketamawaru, to humbly receive/hear)

More from Respect & Ritual

• 仏 Buddha
• 像 statue
• 栄 flourish
• 敬 respect
• 祭 festival
• 賢 wise
• 尊 revered
• 祝 celebrate
• 拝 worship
• 祈 pray
• 召 summon
• 伺 humbly ask

Learn 承 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.