King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “curb”

Romaji: yokusei
control; restraint; suppression; constraint

In Japanese, curb is , read (yokusei).

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

  1. n, vs, vt control; restraint; suppression; constraint; curtailment; inhibition

Kanji and stroke order

repress, well, now
on: ヨク
kun: おさ.える
7 strokes · JLPT 1
system, law, rule
on: セイ
8 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “curb”

WordReadingMeaning
おさえる osaeruto keep within limits (e.g. spending); to restrain (e.g. emotions); to control
くいとめる kuitomeruto check; to hold back; to keep at bay
えんせき ensekicurb (stone); kerb
おさえる osaeruto quell; to subdue; to suppress
おさえこむ osaekomuto suppress; to control; to check

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
おさえる osaeruto keep within limits (e.g. spending); to restrain (e.g. emotions); to control
おさえ osaeweight (e.g. paperweight); pressing down
よくあつ yokuatsucheck; restraint; oppression
よくし yokushikeeping in check; holding back; deterrence
よくりゅう yokuryuuinternment; detainment; detention
せいど seidosystem; institution; organization
せいげん seigenrestriction; restraint; limitation
せいさく seisakuwork (film, book)

See also: Chinese symbol for “curb”.

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.