Japanese symbol for “bug”

虫

むし

Romaji: mushi

insect; bug; cricket; moth

In Japanese, bug is 虫, read むし (mushi).

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 insect; bug; cricket; moth
n worm; roundworm
n thing inside one's body believed to influence one's thoughts and feelings; (one's) unconscious
n nervousness; fretfulness
n person devoted to one thing; single-minded person
n valve core

Written forms: 虫、蟲. Readings: むし.

Kanji and stroke order

虫

insect, bug, temper

on: チュウ、キ
kun: むし

6 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “bug”

Word	Reading	Meaning
誤り	あやまり ayamari	error; mistake; slip
昆虫	こんちゅう konchuu	insect; bug
盗聴	とうちょう touchou	interception (email); wiretap; bug
バグ	バグ bagu	(software) bug
不具合	ふぐあい fuguai	flaw; defect; problem

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
昆虫	こんちゅう konchuu	insect; bug
虫歯	むしば mushiba	tooth decay; decayed tooth; dental cavity
害虫	がいちゅう gaichuu	harmful insect; noxious insect; pest
寄生虫	きせいちゅう kiseichuu	parasite
毛虫	けむし kemushi	hairy caterpillar; woolly bear
幼虫	ようちゅう youchuu	larva; grub; maggot