壮 means “robust, grand”

そう · sou

Also: manhood, prosperity

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

さかん

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ソウ

JLPT N1 · Taught in secondary school · 6 strokes

The story

Split wood (丬) beside a warrior (士): picture a man in his prime, solid as a beam. 壮 is vigor and grandeur: 壮大 is magnificent, 壮観 a spectacular sight, and 滋養強壮 on an energy drink label promises renewed vigor.

Used in 壮大 (soudai, magnificent), 壮観 (soukan, spectacular sight), and 強壮 (kyousou, robust/tonic)

More from Bold & Fierce

• 敢 daring
• 激 intense
• 厳 strict
• 堅 firm
• 豪 mighty
• 猛 ferocious
• 冒 risk
• 烈 fierce
• 剛 sturdy
• 酷 cruel

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

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