Japanese symbol for “despotism”
専制
せんせい
Romaji: sensei
despotism; autocracy
In Japanese, despotism is 専制, read せんせい (sensei).
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
- adj-no, n, vs despotism; autocracy
Written forms: 専制、擅制. Readings: せんせい.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “despotism”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 独裁 | どくさい dokusai | dictatorship; despotism; autocracy |
| 横暴 | おうぼう oubou | violence; oppression; high-handedness |
| 圧政 | あっせい assei | oppressive rule; tyrannical regime; despotism |
| 専横 | せんおう sen'ou | arbitrariness; despotism; high-handedness |
| 圧制 | あっせい assei | oppression; tyranny; despotism |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 専門 | せんもん senmon | speciality; specialty; special subject of study |
| 専用 | せんよう sen'you | (one's) exclusive use; private use; personal use |
| 専攻 | せんこう senkou | major subject; special study |
| 専務 | せんむ senmu | special duty; being in sole charge of a duty |
| 専念 | せんねん sennen | absorption; giving undivided attention; devoting oneself (to) |
| 専業 | せんぎょう sengyou | special occupation; principal occupation; specialty |
| 制度 | せいど seido | system; institution; organization |
| 制限 | せいげん seigen | restriction; restraint; limitation |
See also: Chinese symbol for “despotism”.
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.