Japanese symbol for “footsteps”
足音
あしおと
Romaji: ashioto
(sound of) footsteps
In Japanese, footsteps is 足音, read あしおと (ashioto).
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 (sound of) footsteps
- n sense or sign that something is approaching
Written forms: 足音、跫音、跫. Readings: あしおと.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “footsteps”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 轍 | わだち wadachi | rut; wheel track; furrow |
| 靴音 | くつおと kutsuoto | walking sound; footsteps |
| 跫音 | きょうおん kyouon | (sound of) footsteps |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 満足 | まんぞく manzoku | satisfaction; contentment; gratification |
| 不足 | ふそく fusoku | insufficiency; deficiency; shortage |
| 足跡 | あしあと ashiato | footprints |
| 足元 | あしもと ashimoto | at one's feet; underfoot; one's step (as in "watch your step") |
| 発足 | ほっそく hossoku | starting; inauguration; launch |
| 手足 | てあし teashi | hands and feet; limbs |
| 音楽 | おんがく ongaku | music |
| 音声 | おんせい onsei | voice; speech |
See also: Chinese symbol for “footsteps”.
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.