Japanese symbol for “enlist”
召し抱える
めしかかえる
Romaji: meshikakaeru
to employ (as a retainer); to enlist; to engage
In Japanese, enlist is 召し抱える, read めしかかえる (meshikakaeru).
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
- v1, vt to employ (as a retainer); to enlist; to engage
Written forms: 召し抱える、召抱える. Readings: めしかかえる.
Kanji and stroke order
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 召喚 | しょうかん shoukan | summons; subpoena; citation |
| 召集 | しょうしゅう shoushuu | convening; calling together (e.g. parliament); call-up (for military service) |
| 召す | めす mesu | to call; to summon; to send for |
| 応召 | おうしょう oushou | responding to a call-up for military service; answering a call-up |
| 召し | めし meshi | summons; call |
| 召還 | しょうかん shoukan | recall (esp. of an envoy or an ambassador); calling someone back; summons (home) |
| 抱える | かかえる kakaeru | to hold in one's arms; to carry in one's arms; to carry under one's arm |
| 抱え | かかえ kakae | armful |
See also: Chinese symbol for “enlist”.
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.