Japanese symbol for “expletive”
罵り言葉
ののしりことば
Romaji: nonoshirikotoba
abusive language; expletive; swear word; curse word
In Japanese, expletive is 罵り言葉, read ののしりことば (nonoshirikotoba).
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 abusive language; expletive; swear word; curse word
Written forms: 罵り言葉、ののしり言葉、罵りことば. Readings: ののしりことば.
Kanji and stroke order
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 罵る | ののしる nonoshiru | to abuse (verbally); to curse at; to shout abuse at |
| 罵倒 | ばとう batou | (verbal) abuse; denunciation; disparagement |
| 罵声 | ばせい basei | shout of abuse; jeers; boos |
| 罵り | ののしり nonoshiri | abuse; curse; swearing |
| 罵詈 | ばり bari | (verbal) abuse; abusive language |
| 悪罵 | あくば akuba | curse; vilification |
| 言う | いう iu | to say; to utter; to declare |
| 言葉 | ことば kotoba | language; dialect |
| 紅葉 | こうよう kouyou | leaves turning red (in autumn); red leaves; autumn colours |
See also: Chinese symbol for “expletive”.
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.