logogram
Character meaning word
A logogram is a written character representing a word or concept rather than a sound.
Chinese characters are logograms—each symbol conveys meaning directly, unlike alphabetic letters that represent pronunciation.
The dollar sign ($) and ampersand (&) function as logograms in English, standing for "dollar" and "and" without spelling them out.
Symbol drawn as image
- glyphVisual form of character
- characterNature, symbol, or role
- cuneiformStylus-impressed ancient script
- hieroglyphAncient Egyptian picture-writing symbol
kanji · hanzi · syllabary · script · inscription · calligraphy · grapheme · orthography
Mark conveying information
- characterNature, symbol, or role
- glyphVisual form of character
- markVisible impression or sign
- numeralSymbol denoting quantity
letter · notation · sigil · emblem · icon · cipher · device · seal
Meaning-bearing form
- semanticsStudy of linguistic meaning
- morphemeSmallest meaningful language unit
- graphemeMinimal written symbol unit
- phonemeMinimal distinctive sound unit
ideograph · meaning · denotation · connotation · representation · signified · referent · lexeme
Chinese logographic symbols
- kanjiChinese symbols in Japanese
- radicalRoot-indicating symbol
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- characterNature, symbol, or role
Mandarin · Cantonese · pinyin · traditional · simplified · calligraphy · cursive · brush
pictograph
Symbol drawn as image
- glyphVisual form of character
- characterNature, symbol, or role
- cuneiformStylus-impressed ancient script
hieroglyph · kanji · hanzi · syllabary · script · inscription · calligraphy · grapheme · orthography · epigraphy
sign
Mark conveying information
numeral · letter · notation · sigil · emblem · icon · cipher · device · seal · badge
signifier
Meaning-bearing form
- semanticsStudy of linguistic meaning
- morphemeSmallest meaningful language unit
- graphemeMinimal written symbol unit
phoneme · ideograph · meaning · denotation · connotation · representation · signified · referent · lexeme · semiotics
hanzi
Chinese logographic symbols
character · Mandarin · Cantonese · pinyin · traditional · simplified · calligraphy · cursive · brush
hieroglyph
Ancient Egyptian picture-writing symbol
- cartoucheOval framing royal hieroglyphs
- papyrusAncient plant-derived writing material
- demoticOf common folk
hieratic · Rosetta · determinative · phonogram · scribe · ankh · scarab · obelisk · stele · inscription
trademark
Registered commercial identifier
- logotypeBranded identifying graphic
- brandmarkDistinctive commercial emblem
- wordmarkText-based brand identity
emblem · corporate · identity · design · signature · stamp · imprint · visual · icon · marque
logogramphonogram
Symbol representing speech sound
letter · phonetic spelling · grapheme · rune