King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “frustration”

Romaji: zasetsu
setback; failure (e.g. plans, business); frustration; discouragement

In Japanese, frustration is , read (zasetsu).

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, vi, vs setback; failure (e.g. plans, business); frustration; discouragement

Kanji and stroke order

crush, break, sprain
on: ザ、サ
kun: くじ.く、くじ.ける
10 strokes
fold, break, fracture
on: セツ、シャク
kun: お.る、おり、お.り、-お.り
7 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “frustration”

WordReadingMeaning
しょうそう shousouimpatience; irritation; frustration
フラストレーション furasutoreeshonfrustration
いらだち iradachiirritation; annoyance; frustration
そご sogoinconsistency; discord; conflict
うっぷん uppunresentment; grudge; pent-up anger

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
ねんざ nenzasprain; twist; wrench
ざしょう zashousprain; wrench; bruise
とんざ tonzasetback; deadlock; standstill
くじける kujikeruto be disheartened; to lose heart; to be dispirited
のうざしょう nouzashoucerebral contusion
こっせつ kossetsubone fracture
ときおり tokiorisometimes; at intervals; occasionally
おりかえし orikaeshiby return; (call or write back) without delay

See also: Chinese symbol for “frustration”.

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.

Last posts

  1. Best Aikido Hakama for Beginners Choosing Your First Pair
  2. Kendo Bogu Costs and Timing Your First Purchase
  3. Best Kendo Starter Sets for Beginners and How to Choose
  4. Best Sword Oil and Cloth Kits for Wooden Training Weapons
  5. Is Hickory a Good Wood for a Practice Sword
  6. Best Bokken for Tall Practitioners Choosing the Right Fit
  7. How Heavy Should a Practice Bokken Be for Training
  8. Choosing a Training Sword for Stage and Historical Combat
  9. Best Wooden Swords for Kids Starting Martial Arts Forms
  10. Are Wooden Kung Fu Swords Balanced Like Real Steel Blades