King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “gradient”

Romaji: koubai
slope; incline; gradient; grade

In Japanese, gradient is , read (koubai).

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 slope; incline; gradient; grade; pitch
  2. n slope (of a linear function) (math)
  3. n gradient (vector calculus) (math, physics)

Written forms: . Readings: .

Kanji and stroke order

be bent, slope, capture
on: コウ、ク
kun: かぎ、ま.がる
4 strokes
distribute, spouse, exile
on: ハイ
kun: くば.る
10 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “gradient”

WordReadingMeaning
けいしゃど keishadogradient
ぼかし bokashiblurring (e.g. of an image); blur; gradient
かいちょう kaichougradation; gradient
しゃど shadoangle of slope; gradient; degree of inclination
グラディエント guradientogradient

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
まがたま magatamamagatama; comma-shaped bead from prehistoric Japan, usually made of jade
こうりゅう kouryuudetention pending trial; confinement; custody
こういん kouinarrest; custody; apprehending
かどわかし kadowakashikidnapper
こういんじょう kouinjousummons; warrant of arrest
しんぱい shinpaiworry; concern; anxiety
しはい shihairule; domination; control
はいち haichiarrangement (of resources); deployment; stationing

See also: Chinese symbol for “gradient”.

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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