King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “ability”

Romaji: nouryoku
ability; faculty

In Japanese, ability is , read (nouryoku).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

  1. n ability; faculty

Kanji and stroke order

ability, talent, skill
on: ノウ
kun: よ.く、あた.う
10 strokes · JLPT 2
power, strength, strong
on: リョク、リキ、リイ
kun: ちから
2 strokes · JLPT 3

Other Japanese words for “ability”

WordReadingMeaning
せいのう seinouability; performance; efficiency
じつりょく jitsuryoku(real) ability; true strength; merit
さい saiability; gift; talent
うでまえ udemaeability; skill; facility
さいのう sainoutalent; ability

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
かのう kanoupossible; potential; practicable
きのう kinoufunction; facility; faculty
げいのう geinoupublic entertainment; performing arts
ふかのう fukanouimpossible
せいのう seinouability; performance; efficiency
きょうりょく kyouryokucooperation; collaboration; help
どりょく doryokueffort; exertion; endeavour
みりょく miryokucharm; fascination; glamour

See also: Chinese symbol for “ability”.

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.

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