照 is also the simplified spelling of 炤.
DICTIONARY · CC-CEDICT
照
Mandarin · pinyin zhào
Meanings
- according to
- in accordance with
- to shine
- to illuminate
- to reflect
- to look at (one's reflection)
- to take (a photo)
- photo
- as requested
- as before
Characters in this entry
- 照
- zhào · shine, illumine, reflect
Explore the spelling
Mandarin tones
4 · zhao4
Compare attested words with these syllables ↗Dictionary tones. Connected speech can change their realization.
Connected dictionary
1character link33same-tone records
Counts describe dictionary records, not word frequency or semantic similarity. Source identities stay separate.Read this spelling in Classical texts
Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.
Compare dictionary sources Rime · Wiktionary
Rime Cantonese 粵拼
ziu3
Cantonese word readings for 照. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.
CanCLID contributors · CC BY 4.0 · source & license · Data pack
Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section
Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.
character · Etymology 1
- to shine upon; to illuminate
- to reflect; to look (in the mirror)
- to contrast; to compare
- to notify; to inform
- to take care of
- to take a photo
- sunshine; sunlight
- photo; photograph; picture
- license; permit
- according to; as; in accordance with
- regardless; anyway; continue to
- towards; to
character · Etymology 2
- (Hokkien, Teochew) to illuminate; to cast light upon; to light up
character · Etymology 3
- (Teochew) this; so; such modifies adjectives
Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source & license · Data pack