Meaning
状 covers two clusters of meaning. The first is condition, state, form, or shape — how something looks or the circumstances it exists in. The second is a formal document or letter. The link between them isn't a stretch: a document is simply the written "form" of an official matter.
Structurally, 状 combines 爿 (a split plank, representing something flat and structured) on the left with 犬 (dog) on the right. The 爿 component originally contributed phonetics. Over time, the character came to mean a defined form or likeness — then expanded to abstract state, and eventually to formal documents that record that state.
状 almost always appears in compound words (熟語) — it rarely stands alone. You'll encounter it in news articles, medical reports, legal documents, and formal correspondence.
状 is a Grade 5 kanji, taught to Japanese students around age ten. It has 7 strokes, belongs to the 犬 radical, and is tested at JLPT N2.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
状 has one on'yomi: ジョウ (jō). It appears in virtually all compounds. It's a long vowel — hold the "o" sound: jō, not jo.
ジョウ appears in words for conditions and circumstances, as well as formal documents:
状態 (jōtai) — condition, state (health, mental, or system states)
状況 (jōkyō) — situation, circumstances, context
形状 (keijō) — form, shape, physical configuration
招待状 (shōtaijō) — invitation letter
When 状 ends a compound — 招待状, 賞状, 令状 — it typically signals a physical document or certificate.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
状 has no kun'yomi. Many kanji that entered Japanese through Chinese vocabulary and carry formal or abstract meanings follow this pattern. In practice, it's simple: whenever you see 状, read it ジョウ (jō). One reading, no exceptions.
Common Words & Compounds
状 appears in compounds across two broad categories: words describing conditions or forms, and words referring to documents.
Condition and State
- 状態 (jōtai) — condition, state; used for health (健康状態), system state, emotional condition
- 状況 (jōkyō) — situation, circumstances; slightly more contextual than 状態, emphasizing surrounding conditions
- 現状 (genjō) — current situation, present state of affairs; frequently seen in business and news
- 実状 (jitsujō) — actual conditions, the real situation as opposed to appearances
- 異状 (ijō) — abnormality, irregular condition; used in safety checks (異状なし = no abnormality found)
Form and Symptom
- 形状 (keijō) — form, shape, physical configuration; common in engineering and manufacturing
- 症状 (shōjō) — symptom(s) of a disease or medical condition; essential medical vocabulary
Documents and Letters
- 招待状 (shōtaijō) — invitation letter or card
- 年賀状 (nengajō) — New Year's greeting card; a deeply rooted Japanese tradition
- 賞状 (shōjō) — certificate of merit or award
- 礼状 (reijō) — letter of thanks, thank-you note
- 令状 (reijō) — warrant (legal); note that 礼状 and 令状 are homophones but use different kanji
Example Sentences
彼女の健康状態はずいぶんよくなりました。
Kanojo no kenkō jōtai wa zuibun yoku narimashita.
Her health has improved considerably.
現状を正確に把握することが大切です。
Genjō wo seikaku ni haaku suru koto ga taisetsu desu.
Getting a clear read on the current situation is what matters.
症状が続く場合は、医師に相談してください。
Shōjō ga tsuzuku baai wa, ishi ni sōdan shite kudasai.
If symptoms persist, see a doctor.
結婚式の招待状が届きました。
Kekkonshiki no shōtaijō ga todokimashita.
A wedding invitation arrived.
年末になると、年賀状を書く人が減っています。
Nenmatsu ni naru to, nengajō wo kaku hito ga hette imasu.
Fewer people write New Year's cards these days as year-end approaches.
機械に異状はありませんでした。
Kikai ni ijō wa arimasen deshita.
No abnormalities were found with the machine.
状況に応じて対応を変える必要があります。
Jōkyō ni ōjite taiō wo kaeru hitsuyō ga arimasu.
Your approach has to shift with the situation.
警察は令状なしに家に入ることができません。
Keisatsu wa reijō nashi ni ie ni hairu koto ga dekimasen.
Police cannot enter a home without a warrant.
彼は市長から賞状をもらって誇りに思っている。
Kare wa shichō kara shōjō wo moratte hokori ni omotteiru.
He's proud to have received a certificate of merit from the mayor.
この形状の部品は特殊な機械にしか使えません。
Kono keijō no buhin wa tokushu na kikai ni shika tsukaemasen.
Parts with this shape only fit specialized machinery.
Memory Tip
Picture a dog (犬) balancing on a flat plank (爿) in a very specific, frozen pose. That pose — a snapshot of the dog's exact position — captures the core meaning of 状: a defined condition or form. The dog's stance is its current state.
Now push it further: the pose is so impressive that someone photographs it and issues it as an official document — a certificate, an invitation. That's the second meaning. When you see 状, ask: what is the shape or state here, and is someone putting it in writing?