Japanese symbol for “clutches”
爪牙
そうが
Romaji: souga
claws and fangs; claws and tusks
In Japanese, clutches is 爪牙, read そうが (souga).
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 claws and fangs; claws and tusks
- n clutches; devious design; means of causing harm; weapon
- n pawn; stooge; cat's-paw
- n right-hand man
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “clutches”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 魔の手 | まのて manote | evil influence; (evil) clutches; tentacles of evil |
| 毒牙 | どくが dokuga | sinister ways; crooked means; clutches |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 爪楊枝 | つまようじ tsumayouji | toothpick |
| 爪痕 | つめあと tsumeato | fingernail mark; scratch |
| 鉤爪 | かぎづめ kagizume | claw; talon |
| 深爪 | ふかづめ fukazume | cutting a fingernail (or toenail) to the quick; cutting a nail too close |
| 爪先立ち | つまさきだち tsumasakidachi | standing on tiptoes |
| 象牙 | ぞうげ zouge | ivory |
| 牙城 | がじょう gajou | stronghold (esp. of an enemy or opponent); inner citadel; bastion |
| 毒牙 | どくが dokuga | poison fang |
See also: Chinese symbol for “clutches”.
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.