The kanji 卒 primarily conveys the meanings of "to graduate," "to finish," "to die," or "soldier." It suggests a sense of completion, ending, or the ultimate conclusion of something. It can relate to the completion of a course of study, the end of life, or the finality of a military engagement. The core meaning revolves around a concluding or definitive state.

・On-yomi (音読み): ソツ (sotsu) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): お卒わる (o卒waru - to graduate, to finish), そつ (sotsu - in some compound words, mainly related to soldier or troops)

⚫︎ 卒業 (そつぎょう) Translation: Graduation ⚫︎ 卒園 (そつえん) Translation: Graduation from kindergarten or nursery school ⚫︎ 兵卒 (へいそつ) Translation: Private; common soldier

The kanji 卒 is a pictophonetic compound. The original form depicted a person kneeling, indicating a state of completion or the end of service. Over time, the form simplified, and the meaning broadened to encompass "to die," "to finish," and "soldier," likely due to the soldier's ultimate destiny and the completion of military service. The top part represents a person, and the bottom part, related to the foot, possibly added a sense of movement or ending.