King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “impetus”

Romaji: choushi
tune; tone; key; pitch

In Japanese, impetus is , read (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

  1. n tune; tone; key; pitch; time; rhythm
  2. n vein; mood; way; manner; style; knack
  3. n condition; state of health; shape
  4. n impetus; spur of the moment; strain
  5. n trend

Kanji and stroke order

tune, tone, meter
on: チョウ
kun: しら.べる、しら.べ、ととの.う、ととの.える
15 strokes · JLPT 2
child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM
on: シ、ス、ツ
kun: こ、-こ、ね
3 strokes · JLPT 4

Other Japanese words for “impetus”

WordReadingMeaning
しょうどう shoudouimpulse; urge; impetus
いきおい ikioiimpetus; impulse; momentum
しげき shigekiimpetus; impulse; stimulus
きっかけ kikkakechance; start; opportunity
はくしゃ hakushaspurring on; acceleration; impetus

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
ちょうさ chousainvestigation; examination; inquiry
しらべ shirabeinvestigation; inspection; examination
ちょうせい chouseiadjustment; regulation; coordination
たいちょう taichouphysical condition; state of health; shape
じゅんちょう junchoufavourable; favorable; doing well
こども kodomochild; children
じょし joshiwoman; girl
おんなのこ onnanokogirl; 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.

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