Japanese symbol for “identify”
指す
さす
Romaji: sasu
to point
In Japanese, identify is 指す, read さす (sasu).
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
- v5s, vt to point
- v5s, vt to nominate; to select someone; to specify some person
- v5s, vt to identify; to indicate; to point out
- v5s, vt to play (a game of shogi); to move (a piece) (shogi)
- v5s, vt to extend one's arm straight ahead (in dance)
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “identify”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 突き止める | つきとめる tsukitomeru | to determine (esp. a culprit or underlying cause); to pin down; to ascertain |
| 聞き分ける | ききわける kikiwakeru | to recognize (by sound); to identify; to differentiate (voices, sounds, etc.) |
| アイデンティファイ | アイデンティファイ aidentifai | identify |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 指定 | してい shitei | designation; specification; assignment |
| 指導 | しどう shidou | guidance; leadership; instruction |
| 指摘 | してき shiteki | pointing out; identification |
| 指示 | しじ shiji | indication; denotation; designation |
| 指揮 | しき shiki | command; direction; supervision |
| 指輪 | ゆびわ yubiwa | (finger) ring |
See also: Chinese symbol for “identify”.
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.