Japanese symbol for “groping”
模索
もさく
Romaji: mosaku
groping (for); fumbling around (for); searching (for an answer, solution, etc.); trying to find
In Japanese, groping is 模索, read もさく (mosaku).
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, vs, vt groping (for); fumbling around (for); searching (for an answer, solution, etc.); trying to find
Written forms: 模索、摸索. Readings: もさく.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “groping”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 手探り | てさぐり tesaguri | fumbling; groping |
| 痴漢行為 | ちかんこうい chikankoui | groping; molestation |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 規模 | きぼ kibo | scale; scope; plan |
| 模様 | もよう moyou | pattern; figure; design |
| 模型 | もけい mokei | model; dummy; maquette |
| 模範 | もはん mohan | exemplar; model; example |
| 小規模 | しょうきぼ shoukibo | small scale |
| 模倣 | もほう mohou | imitation; copying |
| 捜索 | そうさく sousaku | search (esp. for someone or something missing); manhunt |
| 検索 | けんさく kensaku | looking up (e.g. a word in a dictionary); search (e.g. on the Internet); retrieval (of information) |
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.