King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “desperately”

Romaji: isshoukenmei
very hard; with utmost effort; as hard as one can; with all one's might

In Japanese, desperately is , read (isshoukenmei).

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. adj-na, adv, n very hard; with utmost effort; as hard as one can; with all one's might; for dear life; eagerly

Written forms: . Readings: .

Kanji and stroke order

one, one radical (no.1)
on: イチ、イツ
kun: ひと-、ひと.つ
1 strokes · JLPT 4
life, genuine, birth
on: セイ、ショウ
kun: い.きる、い.かす、い.ける、う.まれる
5 strokes · JLPT 4
state of suspension, hang, depend
on: ケン、ケ
kun: か.ける、か.かる
20 strokes · JLPT 1
fate, command, decree
on: メイ、ミョウ
kun: いのち
8 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “desperately”

WordReadingMeaning
しゃにむに shanimunidesperately; recklessly; (rushing) headlong
やけに yakeniawfully; frightfully; desperately
いっしょけんめい isshokenmeivery hard; with utmost effort; as hard as one can
ひっしになって hisshininattedesperately; for one's dear life
しぬきで shinukideall out; like hell; like crazy

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
いっしょ issho(doing) together
いちばん ichibannumber one; first; first place
ひとつ hitotsuone
いっぱん ippangeneral; universal
いちぶ ichibuone part; one portion; one section
いっぽう ippouone (esp. of two); the other; one way
せいかつ seikatsulife; living
せんせい senseiteacher; instructor; master
けねん kenenworry; fear; anxiety
せいめい seimeilife; existence

See also: Chinese symbol for “desperately”.

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. Buying Chanbara Swords for Sparring and Competition
  2. What Size Shinai Does a Child Need for Kendo Practice
  3. Best Polypropylene Bokken for Hard Contact Training
  4. Best Foam Swords for Kids Martial Arts and Safe Practice
  5. Are Cold Steel Training Swords Good for Practice
  6. Shinai Maintenance and Essential Tools for Bamboo Care
  7. Best Shinai for Kendo Beginners Choosing Your First Sword
  8. Choosing the Best Bokken for Kendo Kata
  9. Using a Tsuba on Your Bokken for Partner Practice
  10. How Much Should You Spend on a Wooden Practice Sword