Japanese symbol for “die”

死ぬ

しぬ

Romaji: shinu

to die; to pass away

In Japanese, die is 死ぬ, read しぬ (shinu).

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

v5n, vi to die; to pass away
v5n, vi to lose spirit; to lose vigor; to look dead
v5n, vi to cease; to stop

Written forms: 死ぬ. Readings: しぬ、ﾀﾋぬ.

Kanji and stroke order

死

death, die

on: シ
kun: し.ぬ、し.に-

6 strokes · JLPT 3

Other Japanese words for “die”

Word	Reading	Meaning
落ちる	おちる ochiru	to die (of an animal)
亡くなる	なくなる nakunaru	to die; to pass away
枯れる	かれる kareru	to wither (of a plant); to be blasted; to die
倒れる	たおれる taoreru	to die; to be killed
行く	いく iku	to die; to pass away

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
死亡	しぼう shibou	death; dying; mortality
必死	ひっし hisshi	frantic; frenetic; desperate
死刑	しけい shikei	death penalty; capital punishment
死者	ししゃ shisha	dead person; (the) deceased; (the) dead
死体	したい shitai	dead body; corpse; cadaver
死去	しきょ shikyo	death; decease; passing away