Japanese word

像

Pronunciation

Romajizō

Meaning

  • nounstatue

Example

駅前に大きな像があります。eki mae ni ō ki na zō ga a ri ma su

There is a large statue in front of the station.

Illustration for 像 (statue)

More examples

この公園には歴史上の人物の像が並んでいます。ko no kō en ni wa reki shi jō no jin butsu no zō ga nara n de i ma su

Statues of historical figures are lined up in this park.

Core concept

It represents the appearance of a person or thing in a form that can be seen, such as a picture or a three-dimensional work.

Common phrases

  • 像を見るzō o mi ru

    look at a statue

Similar words

彫像chōzō: A statue formed by carving or shaping material into a figure.
銅像dōzō: A statue made of bronze, often showing a person.
石像sekizō: A statue carved or made from stone.

Definition in Japanese

人や物の姿を写し取ったり、立体的に表したりしたもの。hito ya mono no sugata o utsu shi to tta ri rit tai teki ni arawa shi ta ri shi ta mo no

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese noun 像 (zō, "likeness") comes from Chinese and has the core sense of a form made to resemble a person or thing.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 像 (zō, "image") can refer to a portrait as well as a statue, so context shows whether it means a flat image or a three-dimensional work.

Other meanings

  • imagenoun
  • portraitnoun

Word lists with this word