Japanese symbol for “influencing”

操作

そうさ

Romaji: sousa

operation; management; handling

In Japanese, influencing is 操作, read そうさ (sousa).

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 operation; management; handling
n, vs, vt manipulating (to one's benefit); manipulation; influencing

Kanji and stroke order

操

maneuver, manipulate, operate

on: ソウ、サン
kun: みさお、あやつ.る

16 strokes · JLPT 2

作

make, production, prepare

on: サク、サ
kun: つく.る、つく.り、-づく.り

7 strokes · JLPT 3

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
体操	たいそう taisou	gymnastics; physical exercises
操縦	そうじゅう soujuu	steering; piloting; flying
操る	あやつる ayatsuru	to operate (e.g. a machine); to handle; to manage
操業	そうぎょう sougyou	operation (of a machine, factory, fishing boat, etc.); work
節操	せっそう sessou	integrity; fidelity; constancy
作る	つくる tsukuru	to make; to produce; to manufacture
作品	さくひん sakuhin	work (e.g. book, film, painting, composition); piece; production
作業	さぎょう sagyou	work; operation; task

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.