Ideograph

An ideograph, also known as a logograph or character, is a symbol that represents an idea, concept, or word rather than a specific sound. Unlike alphabetic letters that spell out words phonetically, ideographs communicate meaning directly. They are commonly used in writing systems such as Chinese, where each character encapsulates a whole idea or object, allowing messages to be understood regardless of language differences. Ideographs can convey complex concepts quickly and efficiently, serving as a visual shorthand for ideas across different languages and cultures.