Japanese symbol for “arrow”
矢
や
Romaji: ya
arrow
In Japanese, arrow is 矢, read や (ya).
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 arrow
- n wedge; chock
Written forms: 矢、箭. Readings: や、さ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “arrow”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 矢印 | やじるし yajirushi | arrow (symbol) |
| アロー | アロー aroo | arrow |
| 征矢 | そや soya | arrow (for use in battle) |
| 射 | しゃ sha | map; morphism; arrow |
| や座 | やざ yaza | Sagitta (constellation); the Arrow |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 矢印 | やじるし yajirushi | arrow (symbol) |
| 矢先 | やさき yasaki | arrowhead |
| 弓矢 | ゆみや yumiya | bow and arrow |
| 一矢 | いっし isshi | one arrow |
| 矢面 | やおもて yaomote | firing line; position where one is subject to questioning, criticism, etc. |
| 矢継ぎ早 | やつぎばや yatsugibaya | rapid succession (e.g. questions) |
See also: Chinese symbol for “arrow”.
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.