Japanese symbol for “espionage”

スパイ行為

スパイこうい

Romaji: supaikoui

espionage

In Japanese, espionage is スパイ行為, read スパイこうい (supaikoui).

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 espionage

Kanji and stroke order

行

going, journey, carry out

on: コウ、ギョウ、アン
kun: い.く、ゆ.く、-ゆ.き、-ゆき

6 strokes · JLPT 4

為

do, change, make

on: イ
kun: ため、な.る、な.す、す.る

9 strokes · JLPT 1

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
行動	こうどう koudou	action; conduct; behaviour
行う	おこなう okonau	to perform; to do; to conduct oneself
銀行	ぎんこう ginkou	bank; banking institution
行き	いき iki	the way there; outbound leg; outbound trip
行為	こうい koui	act; deed; conduct
旅行	りょこう ryokou	travel; trip; journey
為替	かわせ kawase	money order; draft
為政者	いせいしゃ iseisha	statesman; administrator; politician

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.