Meaning
The kanji 抄 (shō) primarily means "to extract," "to copy," "to abridge," and "to draft." It fundamentally signifies taking a specific part from a larger whole, often implying selectivity, condensation, or brevity. This N1 kanji is an advanced character, typically encountered later in one's Japanese language journey. Despite its advanced level, it is visually simple, comprising just 7 strokes. The structure of 抄 is an excellent example of a 形声文字 (けいせいもじ - keisei moji), or phono-semantic character, where one component suggests the meaning and another suggests the sound.
The left-hand component, 扌 (てへん - tehen), the "hand" radical, provides a clear semantic clue, indicating an action performed with the hands. The right-hand component, 少 (しょう - shō), meaning "few" or "small," serves two crucial functions. First, it provides the phonetic element, hinting at the "shō" pronunciation (though the exact sound can shift slightly when combined). Second, it contributes to the overall meaning by suggesting that only a "small" or "few" parts are being taken or extracted from a larger whole. This combination ingeniously conveys the idea of using one's hand to select and pull out a small portion. This directly informs its diverse meanings, such as copying an excerpt, drafting a summary, or scooping a small amount. Understanding this etymological foundation provides a powerful mnemonic, making the various applications of 抄 much more intuitive for learners.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary on'yomi for 抄 is ショウ (shō). This reading is frequently encountered in compound words, especially those related to official documents, academic abstracts, and literary abridgments. It retains a formal and somewhat technical nuance, reflecting its Chinese origins.
- 抄本 (shōhon) — This refers to a certified copy of an official document, typically an abridged version rather than a full copy. For example, a 戸籍抄本 (こせきしょうほん) is an abridged family register.
- 抄訳 (shōyaku) — An abridged translation or a summary translation. This term is used when a text is translated, but certain sections are omitted or condensed to create a shorter version.
- 抄録 (shōroku) — An abstract, summary, or digest. This is commonly found in academic contexts, where it represents a condensed version of a longer research paper or report, highlighting its main findings.
- 抄出 (shōshutsu) — An excerpt or an extract. This term describes the act of taking out a specific passage or section from a larger text or data set.
- 抄紙 (shōshi) — Paper-making. This specifically refers to the traditional method of making paper by scooping pulp onto a screen.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi readings for 抄 are primarily found when the kanji forms part of a native Japanese verb, often with okurigana (送り仮名). The most common kun'yomi related verbs are すく (suku) and しる (shiru), which convey the actions of scooping, skimming, or extracting.
- 抄う (sukuu) — To scoop up; to skim. This verb is used for actions like scooping water with one's hands, skimming a surface (e.g., to remove impurities), or ladling soup.
- 抄き取る (sukitoru) — To skim off; to scoop off; to drain off. This emphasizes the action of removing something by scooping it, such as skimming fat from a broth or scooping leaves from a pond.
- 抄る (shiru) — To extract; to copy. This verb is less common in modern everyday Japanese compared to 写す (utsusu) but can be found in specialized or older contexts, often implying the selection and extraction of specific information. It shares a nuance with abridging or summarizing.
- 抄き立て (sukitate) — Freshly made (of paper); just scooped up. This term highlights the freshness, often used in the context of paper that has just been made using the traditional scooping method.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 抄 appears in a variety of contexts, ranging from official documentation to academic writing and even traditional craftsmanship. Understanding these compounds is key to mastering 抄.
- Official Documents & Legal Terms:
- 抄本 (shōhon) — Certified copy. This is a common term, especially in legal and administrative contexts, referring to an abridged official copy of a larger record. For instance, a 住民票の抄本 (jūminhyō no shōhon) is an abridged copy of one's resident record.
- 謄抄本 (tōshōhon) — Certified copy (full or abridged). This broader term encompasses both a full certified copy (謄本) and an abridged one (抄本).
- Academic & Literary Terms:
- 抄訳 (shōyaku) — Abridged translation. This refers to a translation where parts of the original text have been condensed or omitted to create a shorter version.
- 抄録 (shōroku) — Abstract; summary; digest. Frequently used in academic journals and papers, it provides a brief overview of a longer work's content.
- 抄出 (shōshutsu) — Excerpt; extract. Both the noun for a selected passage and the verb for the act of drawing it out (when combined with する).
- 抜抄 (basshō) — Excerpt; extract. Similar in meaning to 抄出, emphasizing the "pulling out" or "selecting" aspect of the information.
- 抄読 (shōdoku) — Selective reading; skimming. This involves reading only the most important parts of a document or book, rather than going through it exhaustively.
- 抄見 (shōken) — Selective viewing or inspection. To look over something briefly, focusing on key elements.
- Manufacturing & Traditional Crafts:
- 抄紙 (shōshi) — Paper-making. Specifically denotes the traditional method of making paper by hand, involving the scooping of pulp.
- 抄造 (shōzō) — Paper-making; pulp molding. Another term for the process of creating paper or products by molding pulp.
- Verbal Uses & Actions:
- 抄う (sukuu) — To scoop up; to skim. For example, 水を抄う (mizu o sukuu - to scoop water).
- 抄き取る (sukitoru) — To skim off; to scoop off. This emphasizes the removal of something by scooping, such as 油を抄き取る (abura o sukitoru - to skim off oil).
Example Sentences
この論文の抄録を読んで、全体の内容を把握した。
Kono ronbun no shōroku o yonde, zentai no naiyō o haaku shita.
I read the abstract of this paper and grasped its overall content.
資料から重要な部分を抄出して、レポートにまとめた。
Shiryō kara jūyō na bubun o shōshutsu shite, repōto ni matometa.
I extracted the important parts from the materials and compiled them into a report.
彼は長編小説を短く抄訳するのに優れている。
Kare wa chōhen shōsetsu o mijikaku shōyaku suru no ni sugurete iru.
He is excellent at abridging long novels into shorter translations.
住民票の抄本が必要なため、市役所へ行った。
Jūminhyō no shōhon ga hitsuyō na tame, shiyakusho e itta.
I went to the city hall because I needed an abridged copy of my resident record.
水面に浮かんだ落葉を網で抄い上げた。
Suimen ni ukanda ochiba o ami de sukuage ta.
I scooped up the fallen leaves floating on the water surface with a net.
手漉きの和紙は、職人の丁寧な抄紙によって作られる。
Tesuki no washi wa, shokunin no teinei na shōshi ni yotte tsukurareru.
Handmade Japanese paper is produced through the meticulous paper-making process by artisans.
彼は多忙なため、新聞を隅々まで読むのではなく、重要な記事だけを抄読している。
Kare wa tabō na tame, shinbun o sumizumi made yomu no dewa naku, jūyō na kiji dake o shōdoku shite iru.
Because he is busy, he doesn't read the newspaper thoroughly but only skims the important articles.
会議の議事録から、主な決定事項を抄録して配布した。
Kaigi no gijiroku kara, omo na kettei jikō o shōroku shite haifu shita.
From the meeting minutes, I summarized the main decisions and distributed them.
長文のメールを一読し、要点を抄出して返信した。
Chōbun no mēru o ichidoku shi, yōten o shōshutsu shite henshin shita.
I read through the long email, extracted the key points, and replied.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 抄 effectively, visualize its components: the familiar "hand" radical (扌) on the left, and 少, meaning "few" or "small," on the right. Picture using your "hand" (扌) to meticulously "scoop up" or carefully "extract" only a "small" (少) or "few" portions from something larger. This powerful mnemonic directly connects the kanji's visual shape to its core meanings. Whether you're imagining scooping a small amount of water from a pond, making a selective copy of a document, or drafting an abridged summary from a long text, the underlying concept always involves taking a limited, chosen part with your hand. This simple visualization helps consolidate its related meanings: "extract," "copy," "abridge," and "scoop."