掌
掌·palm, control
- On-yomi
- ショウ
- Kun-yomi
- てのひらたなごころ
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 車掌 | しゃしょう | train conductor |
| 掌握 | しょうあく | grasp, control |
| 掌 | てのひら | palm of the hand |
| 合掌 | がっしょう | pressing the palms together in prayer |
Example sentences
車掌が切符を確認しに来た。
しゃしょうがきっぷをかくにんしにきた。
The conductor came to check the tickets.
新社長は早くも社内を掌握した。
しんしゃちょうははやくもしゃないをしょうあくした。
The new president took control of the company in no time.
掌に汗がにじんだ。
てのひらにあせがにじんだ。
Sweat seeped into my palms.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 車掌 as しゃそう — it is しゃしょう
- Writing 手のひら with 掌 in casual text; 手のひら is far more common in everyday writing
Memory aid
Picture it
A hand (手) held up under a hall's roof — the open palm, and by extension what you hold in it.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 掌 mean?