Japanese symbol for “action”

行動

こうどう

Romaji: koudou

action; conduct; behaviour; behavior

In Japanese, action is 行動, read こうどう (koudou).

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

adj-no, n, vi action; conduct; behaviour; behavior; mobilization; mobilisation

Kanji and stroke order

行

going, journey, carry out

on: コウ、ギョウ、アン
kun: い.く、ゆ.く、-ゆ.き、-ゆき

6 strokes · JLPT 4

動

move, motion, change

on: ドウ
kun: うご.く、うご.かす

11 strokes · JLPT 3

Other Japanese words for “action”

Word	Reading	Meaning
作用	さよう sayou	action; operation; process
活動	かつどう katsudou	activity (of a person, organization, animal, volcano, etc.); action; operation
実行	じっこう jikkou	execution (e.g. of a plan); carrying out; (putting into) practice
訴訟	そしょう soshou	lawsuit; suit; (legal) action
措置	そち sochi	measure; step; action

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
行う	おこなう okonau	to perform; to do; to conduct oneself
銀行	ぎんこう ginkou	bank; banking institution
行き	いき iki	the way there; outbound leg; outbound trip
行為	こうい koui	act; deed; conduct
旅行	りょこう ryokou	travel; trip; journey
活動	かつどう katsudou	activity (of a person, organization, animal, volcano, etc.); action; operation
運動	うんどう undou	exercise; physical training; workout
動物	どうぶつ doubutsu	animal

See also: Chinese symbol for “action”.

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.