Japanese symbol for “functioning”
作動
さどう
Romaji: sadou
operation; functioning; running
In Japanese, functioning is 作動, read さどう (sadou).
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, vi, vs operation; functioning; running
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “functioning”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 動作 | どうさ dousa | operation (of a machine, software, etc.); running; working |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 作る | つくる tsukuru | to make; to produce; to manufacture |
| 作品 | さくひん sakuhin | work (e.g. book, film, painting, composition); piece; production |
| 作業 | さぎょう sagyou | work; operation; task |
| 制作 | せいさく seisaku | work (film, book) |
| 作戦 | さくせん sakusen | tactics; strategy |
| 操作 | そうさ sousa | operation; management; handling |
| 活動 | かつどう katsudou | activity (of a person, organization, animal, volcano, etc.); action; operation |
| 行動 | こうどう koudou | action; conduct; behaviour |
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.