King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “friction”

Romaji: masatsu
friction

In Japanese, friction is , read (masatsu).

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

  1. n friction (physics)
  2. n, vi, vs rubbing; chafing
  3. n discord; friction; strife; conflict

Kanji and stroke order

chafe, rub, polish
on: マ
kun: ま.する、さす.る、す.る
15 strokes · JLPT 1
grate, rub, scratch
on: サツ
kun: す.る、す.れる、-ず.れ、こす.る
17 strokes · JLPT 1

Other Japanese words for “friction”

WordReadingMeaning
ていこう teikouresistance; drag; friction
ふわ fuwadiscord; trouble; dissension
あつれき atsurekifriction; discord; strife
フリクション furikushonfriction
もめごと momegotoquarrel; fight; trouble

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
まてんろう matenrouskyscraper
まもう mamouwear; abrasion
さつま satsumaSatsuma (former province located in the west of present-day Kagoshima Prefecture)
しま shimaShima (former province located at the eastern tip of present-day Mie Prefecture)
あんま anmamassage (esp. anma, a traditional form of Japanese massage)
する suruto rub; to chafe; to strike (match)
すりきず surikizuscratch; graze; scrape
こすり kosurirubbing; scrubbing; scraping

See also: Chinese symbol for “friction”.

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.

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