Japanese symbol for “escapism”

現実逃避

げんじつとうひ

Romaji: genjitsutouhi

escape from reality; escapism; ostrichism

In Japanese, escapism is 現実逃避, read げんじつとうひ (genjitsutouhi).

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

n escape from reality; escapism; ostrichism

Kanji and stroke order

現

present, existing, actual

on: ゲン
kun: あらわ.れる、あらわ.す、うつつ、うつ.つ

11 strokes · JLPT 2

実

reality, truth, seed

on: ジツ、シツ
kun: み、みの.る、まこと、みの

8 strokes · JLPT 2

逃

escape, flee, shirk

on: トウ
kun: に.げる、に.がす、のが.す、のが.れる

9 strokes · JLPT 2

避

evade, avoid, avert

on: ヒ
kun: さ.ける、よ.ける

16 strokes · JLPT 1

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
現在	げんざい genzai	the present; present time; now
現れ	あらわれ araware	embodiment; manifestation; materialization
現実	げんじつ genjitsu	reality; actuality; hard fact
表現	ひょうげん hyougen	expression; representation; description
現場	げんば genba	actual spot; scene (of a crime, accident, etc.)
現代	げんだい gendai	present age; present day; contemporary
実際	じっさい jissai	reality; actuality; truth
実は	じつは jitsuha	as a matter of fact; by the way; to tell you the truth
逃げる	にげる nigeru	to run away; to flee; to get away (e.g. from danger)
避難	ひなん hinan	taking refuge; finding shelter; evacuation

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.