Japanese symbol for “ability”
能力
のうりょく
Romaji: nouryoku
ability; faculty
In Japanese, ability is 能力, read のうりょく (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
- n ability; faculty
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “ability”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 性能 | せいのう seinou | ability; performance; efficiency |
| 実力 | じつりょく jitsuryoku | (real) ability; true strength; merit |
| 才 | さい sai | ability; gift; talent |
| 腕前 | うでまえ udemae | ability; skill; facility |
| 才能 | さいのう sainou | talent; ability |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 可能 | かのう kanou | possible; potential; practicable |
| 機能 | きのう kinou | function; facility; faculty |
| 芸能 | げいのう geinou | public entertainment; performing arts |
| 不可能 | ふかのう fukanou | impossible |
| 性能 | せいのう seinou | ability; performance; efficiency |
| 協力 | きょうりょく kyouryoku | cooperation; collaboration; help |
| 努力 | どりょく doryoku | effort; exertion; endeavour |
| 魅力 | みりょく miryoku | charm; 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.