Japanese symbol for “impetus”
調子
ちょうし
Romaji: choushi
tune; tone; key; pitch
In Japanese, impetus is 調子, read ちょうし (choushi).
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 tune; tone; key; pitch; time; rhythm
- n vein; mood; way; manner; style; knack
- n condition; state of health; shape
- n impetus; spur of the moment; strain
- n trend
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “impetus”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 衝動 | しょうどう shoudou | impulse; urge; impetus |
| 勢い | いきおい ikioi | impetus; impulse; momentum |
| 刺激 | しげき shigeki | impetus; impulse; stimulus |
| 切っ掛け | きっかけ kikkake | chance; start; opportunity |
| 拍車 | はくしゃ hakusha | spurring on; acceleration; impetus |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 調査 | ちょうさ chousa | investigation; examination; inquiry |
| 調べ | しらべ shirabe | investigation; inspection; examination |
| 調整 | ちょうせい chousei | adjustment; regulation; coordination |
| 体調 | たいちょう taichou | physical condition; state of health; shape |
| 順調 | じゅんちょう junchou | favourable; favorable; doing well |
| 子供 | こども kodomo | child; children |
| 女子 | じょし joshi | woman; girl |
| 女の子 | おんなのこ onnanoko | girl; daughter; baby girl |
See also: Chinese symbol for “impetus”.
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.