字 Kanji Decipher

Meaning & readings

condolences, mourning, funeral

On’yomi チョウ
Kun’yomi とむら.う、とぶら.う

Origin

This character most likely combines the image of a bow (弓) with a vertical line to show the act of bending or bowing down in respect. The bow shape suggests the physical gesture of mourning—bending forward in grief or paying respects to the deceased. Over time, this visual idea of respectful bowing became associated with the broader concepts of condolences, mourning rituals, and funerals. The simple strokes capture the essential posture of someone showing deep respect during times of loss.

弔 4 strokes

Components

  • 弓 radical
  • 丨 radical

Common words

  • 慶弔 けいちょう congratulations and condolences
  • 弔辞 ちょうじ memorial address; words of condolence
  • 弔電 ちょうでん telegram of condolence
  • 弔問 ちょうもん condolence call; visiting a bereaved family to offer condolences
  • 弔う とむらう to mourn for; to grieve for
  • 弔意 ちょうい condolence; sympathy

Related kanji

Same radical

Easily confused with

These look alike but are unrelated in meaning — check the stroke that differs.

Reference

Strokes
4
Kangxi radical
57
Formation type
Compound ideographic (combined meanings)
Grade
Jōyō (secondary school)
Frequency rank
#1840 (newspapers)
Former JLPT
level 1
Unicode
U+05F14