King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “infect”

Romaji: utsusu
to transfer (to a different place, group, etc.); to change; to move (something); to swap

In Japanese, infect is , read (utsusu).

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. v5s, vt to transfer (to a different place, group, etc.); to change; to move (something); to swap; to substitute; to relocate
  2. v5s, vt to move to the next stage (of a plan, etc.)
  3. v5s, vt to divert (one's attention) to; to focus on (something different)
  4. v5s, vt to spend (time); to let (time) pass
  5. v5s, vt to infect (someone); to spread (an infection); to pass (a disease)
  6. v5s, vt to permeate (something; with a color or smell); to infuse; to let soak (into)

Written forms: . Readings: .

Kanji and stroke order

shift, move, change
on: イ
kun: うつ.る、うつ.す
11 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “infect”

WordReadingMeaning
うつす utsusuto infect (someone); to spread (an infection); to pass (a disease)

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
いどう idoumovement; transfer; migration
いしょく ishokutransplanting (a plant); transplant; grafting
いてん itenmoving; relocation; change of address
いみん iminimmigration; emigration
いじゅう ijuumigration; move; emigration
いこう ikoutransition; changeover; switchover

See also: Chinese symbol for “infect”.

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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