logographic

(noun)

A writing system based on written characters that represents a word or phrase, such as Chinese characters, Japanese kanji, and some Egyptian hieroglyphs.

Related Terms

(noun)

Type of written language in which the characters/pictures used represent complete words and ideas instead of syllables or sounds.

Related Terms

Examples of logographic in the following topics:

  • Codices of the Mixtec

    • Mixtec codices represent a type of writing that's classified as logographic, meaning the characters and pictures used represent complete words and ideas instead of syllables or sounds.

  • Literature of the Qin Dynasty

    • The written language of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) was logographic, as that of the Zhou had been; in other words, each written character represented a word or phrase, as opposed to letters of the English alphabet.