象 means “elephant”

ぞう · zou

Also: pattern after, imitate, image

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

かたどる

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ショウ, ゾウ

Taught in grade 5 · 12 strokes

The story

Though elephants don't roam Japan, 象 carries a second meaning: "image" or "phenomenon." From concrete creature to abstract concept: this character bridges the visible and invisible.

Used in 印象 (inshou, impression) and 対象 (taishou, target/object)

More from Animals & Creatures

• 竜 dragon
• 亀 turtle
• 猿 monkey
• 鯨 whale
• 狐 fox
• 蛙 frog
• 犬 dog
• 猫 cat
• 牛 cow
• 馬 horse
• 虫 insect
• 羊 sheep

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

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