Japanese symbol for “await”
待ち受ける
まちうける
Romaji: machiukeru
to await; to wait for; to expect
In Japanese, await is 待ち受ける, read まちうける (machiukeru).
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 await; to wait for; to expect
Written forms: 待ち受ける、待受ける. Readings: まちうける.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “await”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 待つ | まつ matsu | to await; to look forward to; to anticipate |
| 窺う | うかがう ukagau | to await (one's chance) |
| アウェイト | アウェイト aweito | await |
| 相まつ | あいまつ aimatsu | to await |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 期待 | きたい kitai | expectation; anticipation; hope |
| 招待 | しょうたい shoutai | invitation |
| 待機 | たいき taiki | standing by; awaiting an opportunity; being on alert |
| 待つ | まつ matsu | to wait |
| 待遇 | たいぐう taiguu | treatment; reception; service |
| 接待 | せったい settai | entertainment (of guests; esp. in the corporate world); treating (to food and drinks); wining and dining |
| 受験 | じゅけん juken | taking an examination (esp. for entrance to a school or university) |
| 受け | うけ uke | popularity; favour; favor |
See also: Chinese symbol for “await”.
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.