Japanese symbol for “cousin”
従兄弟
いとこ
Romaji: itoko
cousin (male)
In Japanese, cousin is 従兄弟, read いとこ (itoko).
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 cousin (male)
Written forms: 従兄弟. Readings: いとこ、じゅうけいてい.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “cousin”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 従姉妹 | いとこ itoko | cousin (female) |
| 従兄 | じゅうけい juukei | cousin (older male) |
| 従弟 | じゅうてい juutei | cousin (younger male) |
| 従妹 | じゅうまい juumai | cousin (younger female) |
| 従姉 | じゅうし juushi | cousin (older female) |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 従来 | じゅうらい juurai | up to now; so far |
| 従事 | じゅうじ juuji | engaging in (work); pursuing (e.g. studies); following (a profession) |
| 従って | したがって shitagatte | therefore; consequently; accordingly |
| 服従 | ふくじゅう fukujuu | obedience; submission; resignation |
| 従軍 | じゅうぐん juugun | military service; serving in a war; taking part in a campaign |
| 従う | したがう shitagau | to obey (an order, law, etc.); to abide by (a rule, custom, etc.); to follow |
| 兄弟 | きょうだい kyoudai | brothers and sisters; siblings |
| 兄さん | にいさん niisan | older brother; elder brother |
| 弟子 | でし deshi | pupil; disciple; adherent |
See also: Chinese symbol for “cousin”.
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.