Readings: チョウ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: sign, indication, mark, extract, collect, levy
The kanji 徴 is composed of 彳 (chì – step, stride), representing movement, and 𧾷 (zhēng – to levy, collect, evidence), which provides the sound and the original meaning of taking or collecting. The combination suggests “to collect” or “to gather,” which then extends to “sign,” “indication,” or “evidence” of something being present or gathered.
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 徴 consists of 14 strokes. Begin with the left radical 彳 (gyōninben), which has three strokes. Then, proceed to the right side of the character, following the standard order from left to right, top to bottom. Pay attention to the balance and flow of the strokes.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 彳 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 14 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | Joyo Kanji |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- チョウ (chou)
Common Words Using 徴
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 特徴 | とくちょう | characteristic, feature |
| 象徴 | しょうちょう | symbol |
| 徴収 | ちょうしゅう | collection, levy |
| 徴候 | ちょうこう | sign, symptom, indication |
| 微徴 | びちょう | slight sign |
| 再徴 | さいちょう | re-collection, re-levy |
| 徴用 | ちょうよう | requisition, impressment |
| 徴兵 | ちょうへい | conscription, draft |
| 査証免除 | さしょうめんじょ | visa exemption (the kanji 徴 often appears in contexts like ‘visa exemption indication’) |
| 税金徴収 | ぜいきんちょうしゅう | tax collection |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼の顔には疲労の徴が見られた。
Kana: かれのかおにはひろうのちょうがみられた。
Romaji: Kare no kao ni wa hirou no chou ga mirareta.
English: A sign of fatigue could be seen on his face.
Japanese: この症状は病気の徴候かもしれません。
Kana: このしょうじょうはびょうきのちょうこうかもしれません。
Romaji: Kono shoujou wa byouki no choukou kamo shiremasen.
English: These symptoms might be a sign of illness.
Japanese: 消費税が徴収される。
Kana: しょうひぜいがちょうしゅうされる。
Romaji: Shouhizei ga choushuu sareru.
English: Consumption tax will be collected.
Japanese: その建物は町の象徴です。
Kana: そのたてものはまちのしょうちょうです。
Romaji: Sono tatemono wa machi no shouchou desu.
English: That building is a symbol of the town.
Japanese: 彼の声には怒りの徴があった。
Kana: かれのこえにはいかりのちょうがあった。
Romaji: Kare no koe ni wa ikari no chou ga atta.
English: There was a sign of anger in his voice.
Japanese: 新しい政権は国民から信頼を徴した。
Kana: あたらしいせいけんはこくみんからしんらいをちょうした。
Romaji: Atarashii seiken wa kokumin kara shinrai o choushi ta.
English: The new government gained the trust of the people.
Japanese: その事件は時代の転換期の徴である。
Kana: そのじけんはじだいのてんかんきのちょうである。
Romaji: Sono jiken wa jidai no tenkanki no chou de aru.
English: That incident is a sign of a turning point in the era.
Japanese: 住民税の徴収方法が変わった。
Kana: じゅうみんぜいのちょうしゅうほうほうがかわった。
Romaji: Jūminzei no chōshū hōhō ga kawatta.
English: The method of collecting resident tax has changed.
Japanese: 彼の発言は不満の徴と受け取られた。
Kana: かれのはつげんはふまんのちょうとうけとられた。
Romaji: Kare no hatsugen wa fuman no chō to uketorareta.
English: His remark was taken as a sign of dissatisfaction.
Japanese: 気温が急激に下がるのは、冬の到来の徴だ。
Kana: きおんがきゅうげきにさがるのは、ふゆのとうらいのちょうだ。
Romaji: Kion ga kyūgeki ni sagaru no wa, fuyu no tōrai no chō da.
English: The rapid drop in temperature is a sign of winter’s arrival.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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