logograph
Single-character word sign
A logograph is a written symbol that represents a whole word or concept rather than a sound.
Chinese characters are logographs: each character stands for a meaning, not a pronunciation.
The ampersand (&) and numerals (1, 2, 3) function as logographs in English, representing words directly rather than spelling them out.
Symbolic picture-based writing
- cuneiformStylus-impressed ancient script
- hanziChinese logographic symbols
- kanjiChinese symbols in Japanese
- ideogramSymbol representing concept directly
hieroglyph · cursive script · demotic · hieratic · Sumerian · Egyptian · Mayan glyphs
Symbol representing concept directly
- glyphVisual form of character
- radicalRoot-indicating symbol
- strokeSudden brain blood blockage
- componentElement of a system
pictograph · determinative · phonetic · compound · classifier · semantic · grapheme · morpheme
Inscribed memorial pillar
- tabletFlat portable computing device
- sealAuthentication stamp or mark
- epitaphText honoring the deceased
- monumentStructure honoring someone remembered
engraving · carving · rubbing · epigraphy · paleography · decipherment · Rosetta Stone · codex
Smallest meaningful language unit
- semanticOf meaning in language
- monosyllabicHaving one syllable
- lexemeFundamental dictionary unit
- conceptAbstract mental construct
signified · denotation · connotation · polysemy · homograph · disambiguation · context · reading
hieroglyphics
Symbolic picture-based writing
- cuneiformStylus-impressed ancient script
- hanziChinese logographic symbols
- kanjiChinese symbols in Japanese
ideogram · hieroglyph · cursive script · demotic · hieratic · Sumerian · Egyptian · Mayan glyphs
ideogram
Symbol representing concept directly
component · pictograph · determinative · phonetic · compound · classifier · semantic · grapheme · morpheme · character set
stele
Inscribed memorial pillar
- tabletFlat portable computing device
- sealAuthentication stamp or mark
- epitaphText honoring the deceased
monument · engraving · carving · rubbing · epigraphy · paleography · decipherment · Rosetta Stone · codex · manuscript
morpheme
Smallest meaningful language unit
- semanticOf meaning in language
- monosyllabicHaving one syllable
- lexemeFundamental dictionary unit
concept · signified · denotation · connotation · polysemy · homograph · disambiguation · context · reading · pronunciation