also: そう
noun, noun, used as a suffix
manor; villa
Refers to a large country house or estate, often historical. As a suffix (usually read そう), it appears in words like 荘園 (manor estate) or in names of villas.
See also: 荘園
この地域には古い荘がいくつか残っている。
Several old manors remain in this area.
彼は郊外に小さな荘を構えている。
He owns a small villa in the suburbs.
Variant kanji, less common but still used. Same reading and meaning.
The kanji 荘 and 庄 both represent a dwelling or estate. The reading しょう is the standard on'yomi, while そう is an alternative on'yomi used in some compounds. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.