Meaning
掲 is an 11-stroke kanji with the core meanings of displaying, posting, publishing, and hoisting. It describes the act of making something visible and public — lifting or presenting information so that others can clearly see it. The left component 扌 (the hand radical, a simplified form of 手 meaning "hand") signals a deliberate physical effort of the hands. The right-side component serves as a phonetic element contributing the on'yomi reading ケイ.
Together, the kanji suggests a person raising something — a flag, a notice, an announcement — high above the crowd so it becomes accessible to a wide audience. In contemporary Japanese, 掲 appears across many formal contexts. It underlies 掲示 (public notice), 掲載 (publication in a newspaper or magazine), and 掲揚 (ceremonially hoisting a flag).
The verb form 掲げる (kakageru) also extends into the metaphorical realm: a politician might proclaim a platform, an athlete raise a national banner, or an activist hold up a slogan for all to see. As a JLPT N1 kanji on the high school Joyo list at 11 strokes, 掲 appears frequently in newspapers, academic journals, government documents, and literary prose.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi reading of 掲 is ケイ (kei). Derived from classical Chinese, this reading is used almost exclusively in compound words (熟語, じゅくご) rather than in isolation. The ケイ reading appears in formal and written vocabulary — particularly in contexts related to official postings, media publishing, and ceremonial display.
- 掲示 (keiji) — a public notice, announcement, or bulletin; the act of posting information officially so that others can see it, such as posting test results or a timetable on a board
- 掲載 (keisai) — publication or insertion of an article or advertisement into a newspaper, magazine, book, or website; when content is formally printed and made available to readers
- 掲揚 (keiyou) — hoisting or flying a flag; the formal, ceremonial act of raising a banner — most commonly seen with national or organizational flags at official events
- 掲示板 (keijiban) — a bulletin board or message board; refers both to a physical cork board in a school hallway and to an online forum or message board on the internet
- 掲出 (keishutsu) — the act of putting up or displaying something publicly; formally posting content on a wall, board, or public space
- 再掲 (saikei) — reposting or republishing previously published content; citing an earlier item in a document or publication for reference
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi reading is かか・げる (kakageru). This native Japanese verb is the primary spoken form of 掲 and is used when the kanji appears in a verbal expression rather than a compound noun. The verb 掲げる conveys the physical act of raising something high — a flag, a torch — as well as the metaphorical act of holding up an ideal, goal, or slogan for others to rally around. This reading is common in political speeches, motivational contexts, graduation ceremonies, and descriptions of solemn rituals.
- 旗を掲げる (hata wo kakageru) — to hoist a flag; to raise a banner high in the air
- 目標を掲げる (mokuhyou wo kakageru) — to set forth a goal; to publicly hold up an objective for others to see and share
- 理念を掲げる (rinen wo kakageru) — to proclaim a principle; to publicly display one's guiding ideals or philosophy
Common Words & Compounds
掲 forms compound words spanning official communications, media publishing, symbolic display, and formal declarations. Below are key terms organized by usage category.
Official Notices and Announcements:
- 掲示 (keiji) — public notice, official bulletin, announcement posted for public viewing
- 掲示板 (keijiban) — bulletin board (physical board or online message board/forum)
- 掲出 (keishutsu) — public posting or official display of information in a visible location
- 掲名 (keimei) — the listing or publishing of one's name in an official document, roster, or publication
Publishing and Media:
- 掲載 (keisai) — publication; insertion of an article or advertisement into a print or online medium
- 未掲載 (mikeisai) — unpublished; content that has not yet been printed or officially posted
- 再掲 (saikei) — republication; reposting a previously published item for renewed reference
- 掲載料 (keisairyou) — publication fee; the charge levied for placing an advertisement or article in a publication
Symbolic Display and Ideals:
- 掲揚 (keiyou) — ceremonial flag hoisting; formal, dignified display of a national or organizational banner
- 高く掲げる (takaku kakageru) — to hold something high; to raise a flag or ideal prominently above the crowd
- スローガンを掲げる (suroogan wo kakageru) — to hold up a slogan; to publicly declare a rallying motto or catchphrase
- 理想を掲げる (risou wo kakageru) — to proclaim one's ideals; to hold up aspirations for others to see and be inspired by
Example Sentences
掲示板に試験の結果が掲示されている。
Keijiban ni shiken no kekka ga keiji sarete iru.
The exam results are posted on the bulletin board.
その記事は今朝の新聞に掲載された。
Sono kiji wa kesa no shinbun ni keisai sareta.
That article was published in this morning's newspaper.
選手たちは国旗を高く掲げた。
Senshu-tachi wa kokki wo takaku kakageta.
The athletes held the national flag high.
会社は新しいスローガンを掲げて再出発した。
Kaisha wa atarashii suroogan wo kakagete saishuppatsu shita.
The company made a fresh start with a new slogan held high.
彼は高い理想を掲げて政界に入った。
Kare wa takai risou wo kakagete seikai ni haitta.
He entered the political world with lofty ideals held high.
求人広告を雑誌に掲載してもらった。
Kyuujin koukoku wo zasshi ni keisai shite moratta.
I had a job advertisement published in the magazine.
その法律は憲法に掲げられた原則に基づいている。
Sono houritsu wa kenpou ni kakagerareta gensoku ni motozuite iru.
That law is based on the principles proclaimed in the constitution.
彼女の詩が文芸誌に掲載されることになった。
Kanojo no shi ga bungeishi ni keisai sareru koto ni natta.
It was decided that her poem would be published in the literary magazine.
学校の廊下には生徒の絵が掲示されていた。
Gakkou no rouka ni wa seito no e ga keiji sarete ita.
Students' paintings were displayed in the school hallway.
このウェブサイトには最新の情報が随時掲示されている。
Kono uebusaito ni wa saishin no jouhou ga zuiji keiji sarete iru.
The latest information is posted on this website as it becomes available.
Memory Tip
Picture a town crier in a crowded marketplace, using both hands (扌) to hoist a large board bearing an official announcement high above the crowd. That image — arms outstretched, the board raised as high as possible — captures what 掲 is about: bringing something into public view through deliberate, hands-on effort. Whenever you see 掲, think of those outstretched hands lifting a message up for the world to read.