Meaning & readings

map, drawing, plan, extraordinary, audacious

On’yomi ズ、ト
Kun’yomi え、はか.る
Nanori

Origin

This character combines a square frame (囗) that represents a bounded space or container with internal strokes suggesting lines or marks drawn within it. The frame works like a boundary that holds something inside, while the marks inside represent the act of drawing or marking. Together, these elements create the idea of a map or drawing—a planned representation of something captured within defined borders. The character evolved to also mean "plan" or "scheme" because maps and drawings are ways of laying out and organizing information visually.

AI-generated (claude-haiku-4-5), not yet reviewed. Formation type (automated guess): Compound ideographic (combined meanings).

7 strokes

Components

  • radical enclosure
  • meaning part
  • meaning part
  • radical enclosure

Common words

  • 意図 いと intention; aim
  • 企図 きと plan; project
  • 系図 けいず family tree; pedigree
  • 構図 こうず composition (of painting); structural outline
  • 合図 あいず sign; signal
  • 指図 さしず directions; instructions
  • 縮図 しゅくず reduced drawing; miniature copy
  • 図解 ずかい (explanatory) diagram; illustration

Reference

Strokes
7
Kangxi radical
31
Grade
Grade 2 (Kyōiku)
Frequency rank
#539 (newspapers)
Former JLPT
level 3
Unicode
U+056F3