Meaning
徴 carries two interconnected clusters of meaning that together evoke authority, indication, and collection. Its core sense is sign, indication, symptom, or characteristic mark — something visible that points toward an underlying truth, a hidden condition, or an approaching event. A fever signals illness. Dark clouds signal a coming storm. A distinctive accent signals regional origin. Each is a surface mark pointing to something larger.
Its second major meaning belongs to governmental authority: to levy, to collect (taxes or fees), or to summon citizens into service. In historical and formal contexts, 徴 describes conscription, tax collection, and state mobilization. The two senses share common ground — both involve an authority calling something out, whether a payment, a soldier, or a tell-tale sign.
徴 derives from the classical form 徵, a Chinese character associated with summoning and musical tones — specifically one of the five tones in the traditional pentatonic scale. The left-side component 彳 is the "step" or "road" radical, found in kanji tied to movement and journeys. The right-side components reinforce the idea of summoning along that path. Taken together, the character pictures an official calling people forward — to pay taxes, report for service, or acknowledge a sign.
徴 has 14 strokes and is a grade 8 Jōyō kanji — high school level, not taught in elementary school but considered essential for adult literacy. JLPT N1 learners encounter it regularly in news articles, government documents, academic writing, and formal Japanese.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
徴 has one on'yomi: チョウ (chō). It is the dominant form in modern Japanese and appears in virtually every compound built around this kanji. The pronunciation descends from Middle Chinese via the Sino-Japanese reading tradition. Whether a word carries the "sign" sense or the "collection" sense, チョウ stays consistent throughout.
- 特徴 (tokuchō) — characteristic, distinguishing feature, what makes something unique
- 象徴 (shōchō) — symbol, emblem, something that represents a larger idea
- 徴収 (chōshū) — collection of fees, taxes, or fines; the act of levying
- 徴兵 (chōhei) — military conscription, compulsory military service
- 徴候 (chōkō) — sign, symptom, indication (especially used in medical and political contexts)
チョウ appears uniformly across all these compounds — whether the meaning leans toward "sign" (特徴, 象徴, 徴候) or "collection" (徴収, 徴兵). One reading covers the entire kanji. That consistency makes 徴 more approachable than its 14 strokes suggest.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
徴 has no kun'yomi in everyday modern Japanese. Historically, め・す (mesu) meant "to summon" and appears in classical texts and formal registers. Today it is extremely rare and does not appear on the JLPT. For practical purposes, チョウ is the only reading you need.
Common Words & Compounds
徴 anchors a wide range of N1 vocabulary. The compounds fall into two groups: words about signs, symbols, and features, and words about collection, conscription, and requisition. Recognizing both sets pays off quickly in formal and academic reading.
Signs, Symbols, and Features
- 特徴 (tokuchō) — characteristic, feature; what makes something stand out or be recognizable; the most common compound using this kanji
- 象徴 (shōchō) — symbol, emblem; something that concretely represents an abstract idea or larger entity
- 徴候 (chōkō) — sign, symptom, indication; used especially in medical, political, and social contexts to describe early warning signs
- 特徴的 (tokuchōteki) — characteristic, distinctive, typical; the adjectival form, used to describe what typifies something
- 象徴的 (shōchōteki) — symbolic; having the nature of a symbol; used frequently in literature and cultural analysis
- 表徴 (hyōchō) — sign, token, emblem; a more literary or formal word for an outward sign representing an inner truth
Collection, Levy, and Conscription
- 徴収 (chōshū) — collection of taxes, fees, or dues; the formal act of levying a payment from citizens or members
- 徴兵 (chōhei) — military conscription; calling citizens to compulsory military service
- 徴税 (chōzei) — tax collection; the governmental process of gathering taxes
- 徴用 (chōyō) — requisition of labor; drafting civilians to work for state purposes, especially in wartime
- 徴発 (chōhatsu) — commandeering, requisitioning supplies or personnel by official order
- 徴募 (chōbo) — recruitment, enlisting; the active calling of volunteers or conscripts into service
Example Sentences
この建物の特徴は赤い屋根です。
Kono tatemono no tokuchō wa akai yane desu.
The distinguishing feature of this building is its red roof.
鳩は平和の象徴です。
Hato wa heiwa no shōchō desu.
The dove is a symbol of peace.
会費は毎月徴収されます。
Kaihi wa maitsuki chōshū saremasu.
Membership fees are collected every month.
その国では徴兵制度が今も続いている。
Sono kuni de wa chōhei seido ga ima mo tsuzuite iru.
That country still maintains a system of military conscription.
患者に感染の徴候が見られた。
Kanja ni kansen no chōkō ga mirareta.
Signs of infection were observed in the patient.
この地域の特徴的な料理はスパイスが豊富だ。
Kono chiiki no tokuchōteki na ryōri wa supaisu ga hōfu da.
The cuisine characteristic of this region is rich in spices.
政府は国民から税金を徴収する権利を持っている。
Seifu wa kokumin kara zeikin wo chōshū suru kenri wo motte iru.
The government has the right to collect taxes from citizens.
彼の話し方には独特の特徴がある。
Kare no hanashikata ni wa dokutoku no tokuchō ga aru.
His way of speaking has its own distinctive character.
彼女の言動に変化の徴候が現れ始めた。
Kanojo no gendō ni henka no chōkō ga araware hajimeta.
Signs of change began to appear in her words and actions.
この作品は自由を象徴的に表現している。
Kono sakuhin wa jiyū wo shōchōteki ni hyōgen shite iru.
This work expresses freedom in a symbolic manner.
Memory Tip
Picture a stern official walking door to door — the 彳 radical on the left already hints at roads and movement. At each house he does two things: stamps the doorpost with a distinctive mark (特徴, 象徴, 徴候 — the "sign" sense) and collects payment (徴収, 徴兵, 徴税 — the "levy" sense). One official, two actions, one kanji.
Start with 特徴 (tokuchō). It is the most common compound by a wide margin — showing up in daily conversation, essays, and exams alike. Literally "special sign," it names the defining feature of a person, place, or thing. Once it feels natural, the rest of 徴's vocabulary will follow. Watch out too for the visually similar 微 (bi — "slight, minute"). Both share structural components and trip up learners regularly. The distinction is clean: 徴 is bold and official (signs, symbols, state collection); 微 is barely there (microscopic, subtle, delicate).