Japanese symbol for “intellect”
知能
ちのう
Romaji: chinou
intelligence; intellect; brains
In Japanese, intellect is 知能, read ちのう (chinou).
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 intelligence; intellect; brains
Written forms: 知能、智能. Readings: ちのう.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “intellect”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 頭脳 | ずのう zunou | intellect; understanding |
| 知力 | ちりょく chiryoku | intellectual power; mental capacity; intellect |
| 頭 | あたま atama | mind; brains; intellect |
| 理知 | りち richi | intellect; intelligence |
| インテレクト | インテレクト interekuto | intellect |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 知る | しる shiru | to know; to be aware (of); to be conscious (of) |
| 知識 | ちしき chishiki | knowledge; information |
| ご存知 | ごぞんじ gozonji | knowing; being aware (of) |
| 知事 | ちじ chiji | prefectural governor |
| 知り合い | しりあい shiriai | acquaintance |
| 通知 | つうち tsuuchi | notice; notification; report |
| 可能 | かのう kanou | possible; potential; practicable |
| 機能 | きのう kinou | function; facility; faculty |
See also: Chinese symbol for “intellect”.
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.