Japanese symbol for “command”
指揮
しき
Romaji: shiki
command; direction; supervision
In Japanese, command is 指揮, read しき (shiki).
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, vs, vt command; direction; supervision
- n, vs, vt conducting (an orchestra, choir, etc.)
Written forms: 指揮、指麾. Readings: しき.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “command”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 司令 | しれい shirei | command; commander; commandant |
| 令 | れい rei | command; order; dictation |
| 命令 | めいれい meirei | order; command; decree |
| 心得 | こころえ kokoroe | knowledge (of a skill, art, etc.); proficiency; understanding |
| 統率 | とうそつ tousotsu | command; lead; generalship |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 指定 | してい shitei | designation; specification; assignment |
| 指導 | しどう shidou | guidance; leadership; instruction |
| 指摘 | してき shiteki | pointing out; identification |
| 指示 | しじ shiji | indication; denotation; designation |
| 指輪 | ゆびわ yubiwa | (finger) ring |
| 発揮 | はっき hakki | show (of power, ability, etc.); exhibition; demonstration |
| 揮発 | きはつ kihatsu | volatilization; volatilisation |
| 揮毫 | きごう kigou | writing (esp. commissioned calligraphy); drawing; painting |
See also: Chinese symbol for “command”.
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.