Japanese symbol for “cancel”

取り消す

とりけす

Romaji: torikesu

to cancel; to withdraw; to retract; to take back (words, etc.)

In Japanese, cancel is 取り消す, read とりけす (torikesu).

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

v5s, vt to cancel; to withdraw; to retract; to take back (words, etc.); to revoke

Written forms: 取り消す、取消す. Readings: とりけす.

Kanji and stroke order

取

take, fetch, take up

on: シュ
kun: と.る、と.り、と.り-、とり

8 strokes · JLPT 2

消

extinguish, blow out, turn off

on: ショウ
kun: き.える、け.す

10 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “cancel”

Word	Reading	Meaning
取り消し	とりけし torikeshi	cancellation; withdrawal; abolition
流す	ながす nagasu	to cancel (a plan, meeting, etc.); to call off; to reject (e.g. a bill)
止める	やめる yameru	to cancel; to abandon; to give up
取りやめる	とりやめる toriyameru	to cancel; to call off
取り上げる	とりあげる toriageru	to take away; to confiscate; to deprive (someone) of

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
取引	とりひき torihiki	transactions; dealings; business
買取	かいとり kaitori	purchase; buying; buying out
取得	しゅとく shutoku	obtaining (a qualification, right, object, etc.); acquisition (of land, property, etc.); gaining possession (of)
取る	とる toru	to take; to pick up; to grab
取材	しゅざい shuzai	gathering material (for an article, novel, etc.); collecting information; covering (an event, incident, etc.)
取締役	とりしまりやく torishimariyaku	company director; board member
消費	しょうひ shouhi	consumption; expenditure; spending
解消	かいしょう kaishou	cancellation; liquidation; resolution

See also: Chinese symbol for “cancel”.

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.