King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “ambition”

Romaji: yashin
ambition; aspiration

In Japanese, ambition is , read (yashin).

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 ambition; aspiration
  2. n sinister designs; treachery

Kanji and stroke order

plains, field, rustic
on: ヤ、ショ
kun: の、の-
11 strokes · JLPT 3
heart, mind, spirit
on: シン
kun: こころ、-ごころ
4 strokes · JLPT 3

Other Japanese words for “ambition”

WordReadingMeaning
こころざし kokorozashiwill; resolution; intention
いよく iyokuwill; desire; eagerness
やぼう yabouambition; aspiration
しぼう shibouwish; desire; ambition
ゆめ yumedream; hope; wish

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
やきゅう yakyuubaseball
ぶんや bun'yafield; sphere; realm
やさい yasaivegetable
やとう yatouopposition party; the opposition
しや shiyafield of vision; view
へいや heiyaplain; open field
ちゅうしん chuushincenter; centre; middle
しんぱい shinpaiworry; concern; anxiety

See also: Chinese symbol for “ambition”.

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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