King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “docile”

Romaji: sunao
obedient; meek; docile; unaffected

In Japanese, docile is , read (sunao).

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, n obedient; meek; docile; unaffected
  2. adj-na, n honest; frank; upfront (about one's feelings)
  3. adj-na, n straight (e.g. hair)
  4. adj-na, n without peculiarity; without mannerisms; standard; neat (e.g. handwriting)

Kanji and stroke order

elementary, principle, naked
on: ソ、ス
kun: もと
10 strokes · JLPT 1
straightaway, honesty, frankness
on: チョク、ジキ、ジカ
kun: ただ.ちに、なお.す、-なお.す、なお.る
8 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “docile”

WordReadingMeaning
じゅん junobedient; docile; submissive
じゅうじゅん juujunobedient; submissive; docile
しんみょう shinmyoumeek; quiet; docile
おとなしい otonashiigentle; quiet; mild
おんじゅん onjundocile; tame

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
ようそ yousoelement; component; factor
そざい sozaiingredient; (raw) material; resource
すてき sutekilovely; wonderful; charming
しろうと shiroutoamateur; layman; ordinary person
さんそ sansooxygen (O)
ちょくせつ chokusetsudirect; immediate; personal
しょうじき shoujikihonest; frank; candid
ちょくご chokugoimmediately following

See also: Chinese symbol for “docile”.

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 the Best Wooden Sword Stand for Your Collection
  2. Why Bokken Crack and Which Woods Handle Impact Best
  3. Best Bokken Bags and Cases for Martial Arts Training
  4. Choosing the Best Wooden Tanto for Realistic Knife Drills
  5. What Is a Suburito and Is It Worth Buying for Strength
  6. Buying a Wooden Wakizashi for Two-Sword Practice
  7. Buying Chanbara Swords for Sparring and Competition
  8. What Size Shinai Does a Child Need for Kendo Practice
  9. Best Polypropylene Bokken for Hard Contact Training
  10. Best Foam Swords for Kids Martial Arts and Safe Practice