Japanese symbol for “characterization”

性格描写

せいかくびょうしゃ

Romaji: seikakubyousha

character portrayal; characterization

In Japanese, characterization is 性格描写, read せいかくびょうしゃ (seikakubyousha).

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 character portrayal; characterization

Kanji and stroke order

性

sex, gender, nature

on: セイ、ショウ
kun: さが

8 strokes · JLPT 2

格

status, rank, capacity

on: カク、コウ、キャク、ゴウ

10 strokes · JLPT 2

描

sketch, compose, write

on: ビョウ
kun: えが.く、か.く

11 strokes · JLPT 1

写

copy, be photographed, describe

on: シャ、ジャ
kun: うつ.す、うつ.る、うつ-、うつ.し

5 strokes · JLPT 3

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
女性	じょせい josei	woman; female
男性	だんせい dansei	man; male
性格	せいかく seikaku	character (of a person); personality; disposition
性能	せいのう seinou	ability; performance; efficiency
個性	こせい kosei	individuality; personality; quirk
性別	せいべつ seibetsu	(distinction of) sex; gender
価格	かかく kakaku	price; value; cost
資格	しかく shikaku	qualifications; requirements; capabilities
描写	びょうしゃ byousha	depiction; description; portrayal
写真	しゃしん shashin	photograph; photo; picture

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.