proclaim

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 宣 appears in words about publicizing or declaring something; its on-reading is せん.
• Basic usage: 宣伝（せんでん） means publicity or promotion, while 宣言（せんげん） is an explicit declaration of an intention or fact.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Promoting something and making a declaration
  • 宣伝 includes handing out flyers to publicize a shop. It can also come from word of mouth, 口コミ, so it is not limited to paid advertisements.
  • 宣言 is used for declaring an intention to carry a plan through, and 開会宣言 announces the opening of an event. Distinguish the endings でん and げん in the two readings.