Japanese symbol for “karate”
空手
からて
Romaji: karate
karate
In Japanese, karate is 空手, read からて (karate).
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 karate
- n being empty-handed; having nothing in one's hands
Written forms: 空手、唐手. Readings: からて.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “karate”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 空手道 | からてどう karatedou | the way of karate; karate |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 空気 | くうき kuuki | air; atmosphere |
| 空港 | くうこう kuukou | airport |
| 空間 | くうかん kuukan | space; room; airspace |
| 航空 | こうくう koukuu | aviation; flying |
| 航空機 | こうくうき koukuuki | aircraft |
| 空中 | くうちゅう kuuchuu | (in) the air; midair; sky |
| 相手 | あいて aite | companion; partner; company |
| 選手 | せんしゅ senshu | player (of a sport); athlete; team member |
See also: Chinese symbol for “karate”.
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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