Japanese symbol for “borrow”
借りる
かりる
Romaji: kariru
to borrow
In Japanese, borrow is 借りる, read かりる (kariru).
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 borrow
- v1, vt to rent; to hire
- v1, vt to make use of (another's help, wisdom, etc.); to obtain; to receive
- v1, vt to use (for another purpose); to put to a different use
Written forms: 借りる、貸りる. Readings: かりる.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “borrow”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 借り入れる | かりいれる kariireru | to borrow; to rent; to lease |
| 借り受ける | かりうける kariukeru | to borrow; to have a loan; to hire |
| 借る | かる karu | to borrow; to have a loan |
| 借り出す | かりだす karidasu | to borrow; to take out |
| 取り入れる | とりいれる toriireru | to adopt (e.g. an idea); to accept (e.g. advice); to introduce (e.g. technology) |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 借金 | しゃっきん shakkin | debt; loan; liabilities |
| 借り | かり kari | borrowing; debt; loan |
| 貸借 | たいしゃく taishaku | loan; debit and credit; lending and borrowing |
| 賃借 | ちんしゃく chinshaku | renting; rental; hiring |
| 拝借 | はいしゃく haishaku | borrowing |
See also: Chinese symbol for “borrow”.
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.