Japanese symbol for “combining”

合成

ごうせい

Romaji: gousei

composition; synthesis; compounding; combining

In Japanese, combining is 合成, read ごうせい (gousei).

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

adj-no, n, vs composition; synthesis; compounding; combining
n composite photo
n (function) composition (math)

Kanji and stroke order

合

fit, suit, join

on: ゴウ、ガッ、カッ
kun: あ.う、-あ.う、あ.い、あい-

6 strokes · JLPT 3

成

turn into, become, get

on: セイ、ジョウ
kun: な.る、な.す、-な.す

6 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “combining”

Word	Reading	Meaning
配剤	はいざい haizai	dispensation (e.g. of heaven); providence; combining

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
場合	ばあい baai	case; occasion; situation
試合	しあい shiai	match; game; bout
総合	そうごう sougou	synthesis; combination; integration
合う	あう au	to come together; to merge; to unite
連合	れんごう rengou	union; combination; alliance
合計	ごうけい goukei	sum total; total amount
成功	せいこう seikou	success; achievement
成長	せいちょう seichou	growth; development; growing up

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.