Japanese symbol for “cross”
組む
くむ
Romaji: kumu
to cross (legs or arms); to link (arms)
In Japanese, cross is 組む, read くむ (kumu).
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
- v5m, vi, vt to cross (legs or arms); to link (arms)
- v5m, vi, vt to put together; to construct; to assemble; to produce (e.g. TV program)
- v5m, vi, vt to braid; to plait
- v5m, vi, vt to grapple; to wrestle
- v5m, vi, vt to unite; to join; to link up; to form an alliance
- v5m, vi, vt to set (e.g. type)
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “cross”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 十字架 | じゅうじか juujika | cross (for crucifixion); the Cross (of Christ) |
| 十字 | じゅうじ juuji | cross; cross shape |
| 交わる | まじわる majiwaru | to cross; to intersect; to join |
| 越える | こえる koeru | to cross over; to cross; to pass through |
| 横切る | よこぎる yokogiru | to cross (e.g. road); to traverse |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 番組 | ばんぐみ bangumi | program (e.g. TV); programme |
| 組織 | そしき soshiki | organization; organisation; formation |
| 仕組み | しくみ shikumi | structure; construction; arrangement |
| 組合 | くみあい kumiai | association; union; guild |
| 取り組み | とりくみ torikumi | effort; initiative; dealing with |
See also: Chinese symbol for “cross”.
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.