Japanese symbol for “add”
加える
くわえる
Romaji: kuwaeru
to add; to add up; to sum up; to append
In Japanese, add is 加える, read くわえる (kuwaeru).
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
- v1, vt to add; to add up; to sum up; to append; to annex
- v1, vt to increase; to gather (e.g. speed); to pick up
- v1, vt to include; to count in; to let join
- v1, vt to inflict (damage); to deal; to give
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “add”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 足す | たす tasu | to add (numbers) |
| 付け加える | つけくわえる tsukekuwaeru | to add (one thing to another); to add (a few more words, an explanation, etc.) |
| 寄せる | よせる yoseru | to add (numbers) |
| 付ける | つける tsukeru | to attach; to join; to connect |
| 付け足す | つけたす tsuketasu | to add (to); to add on; to append |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 参加 | さんか sanka | participation; joining; entry |
| 追加 | ついか tsuika | addition; supplement; appending |
| 増加 | ぞうか zouka | increase; rise; growth |
| 加工 | かこう kakou | manufacturing; processing; treatment |
| 加入 | かにゅう kanyuu | joining (a club, organization, etc.); becoming a member; entry |
| 加盟 | かめい kamei | joining (an association, agreement, etc.); participation; affiliation |
See also: Chinese symbol for “add”.
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.