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照
照 (readings: しょう, て; Japanese kanji) means “shine / illuminate”. It is a Grade 4 Kyōiku kanji, taught in year 4 of Japanese elementary school, and appears in words such as 対照 (contrast).
What does 照 mean?
| Kanji | 照 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | shine / illuminate |
| Readings | しょう, て |
| Grade | Grade 4 (Upper) |
| Curriculum | Kyōiku kanji · Japanese elementary school |
How to read 照
照 is read しょう or て depending on the word.
Example words with 照
| Example | 対照 (contrast) |
|---|
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Updated: 2026-07-14