宣 means “announce, proclaim”

せん · sen

Also: say

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

のたまう

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

セン

JLPT N1 · Taught in grade 6 · 9 strokes

The story

A roof (宀) over 亘, the sun (日) between two lines (二): 宣 once named an emperor's great hall, so picture decrees going out from it. It still announces: 宣伝 is advertising, 宣言 a declaration, and athletes swear a 宣誓 at the opening ceremony.

Used in 宣伝 (senden, advertising/publicity), 宣言 (sengen, declaration), and 宣誓 (sensei, oath)

More from Politics & Diplomacy

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• 亜 sub-
• 唐 Tang China
• 呉 Wu (ancient China)
• 蛮 barbarian
• 派 faction
• 挙 raise
• 閣 cabinet
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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.