Japanese symbol for “backup”
控え
ひかえ
Romaji: hikae
reserve; spare; backup
In Japanese, backup is 控え, read ひかえ (hikae).
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 reserve; spare; backup
- n note; memorandum
- n, n-suf duplicate; copy; stub (of a ticket, etc.); receipt
- n waiting one's turn
Written forms: 控え、扣え. Readings: ひかえ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “backup”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| サブ | サブ sabu | sub; substitute; reserve |
| 退避 | たいひ taihi | backup (of data) |
| バックアップ | バックアップ bakkuappu | backup |
| 助太刀 | すけだち sukedachi | assistance (in a fight); help; aid |
| 下支え | したざさえ shitazasae | support; backup; prop |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 控える | ひかえる hikaeru | to be temperate in; to refrain; to abstain |
| 控訴 | こうそ kouso | appeal to a higher court; intermediate appeal |
| 控除 | こうじょ koujo | subtraction; deduction (e.g. of tax) |
| 控え室 | ひかえしつ hikaeshitsu | waiting room; anteroom; antechamber |
| 控えめ | ひかえめ hikaeme | moderate; reserved; modest |
See also: Chinese symbol for “backup”.
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.