King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “decipher”

Romaji: yomu
to read

In Japanese, decipher is , read (yomu).

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. v5m, vt to read
  2. v5m, vt to recite (e.g. a sutra); to chant
  3. v5m, vt to predict; to guess; to forecast; to read (someone's thoughts); to see (e.g. into someone's heart); to divine
  4. v5m, vt to pronounce; to read (e.g. a kanji)
  5. v5m, vt to decipher; to read (a meter, graph, music, etc.); to tell (the time)
  6. v5m, vt to count; to estimate

Written forms: . Readings: .

Kanji and stroke order

read
on: ドク、トク、トウ
kun: よ.む、-よ.み
14 strokes · JLPT 4

Other Japanese words for “decipher”

WordReadingMeaning
よみとく yomitokuto decipher; to decode
はんじる hanjiruto solve; to decipher; to puzzle out
はんずる hanzuruto solve; to decipher; to puzzle out

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
よみ yomireading
どくしゃ dokushareader
どくしょ dokushoreading (books)
ろうどく roudokureading aloud; recitation
よみかた yomikatapronunciation; reading (e.g. of a kanji)

See also: Chinese symbol for “decipher”.

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.

Last posts

  1. Choosing Soft Sticks for Kids Games and Safe Play
  2. Best Padded Sticks for Self-Defense Training and Safety
  3. Best Lightweight Escrima Sticks for Speed and Quick Strikes
  4. Mixing Stick Lengths in Crafting and Construction
  5. Do Carved-Grip Escrima Sticks Improve Weapon Retention
  6. Best Short Sticks for Close-Range Drills and Training
  7. Best Escrima Books for Beginners and Clear Technique
  8. Are Aluminum Trainer Knives Safe for Beginners
  9. Best Rubber Training Knives for Kali Practice
  10. Best Eye Protection for Stick Training and Sparring