elephant · image

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on readings are しょう and ぞう, and the kun reading is かたどる. It has 12 strokes and relates to an elephant or an image that represents an idea.
• Basic usage: 象 is read ぞう, and 象徴 is read しょうちょう.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 象 / 象徴
  • 象 means elephant. It is a noun read ぞう. It refers to the animal, an elephant.
  • 動物園の象が長い鼻で水を浴びていた。 means “The zoo elephant was spraying water with its long trunk.”
  • 象徴 means symbol. It is a noun read しょうちょう. It is an object or image that represents an abstract idea or value.
  • 白い鳥はこの物語で平和の象徴として描かれています。 means “The white bird symbolizes peace in this story.”