Japanese symbol for “kingfisher”
翡翠
かわせみ
Romaji: kawasemi
kingfisher (esp. the common kingfisher, Alcedo atthis)
In Japanese, kingfisher is 翡翠, read かわせみ (kawasemi).
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 kingfisher (esp. the common kingfisher, Alcedo atthis)
Written forms: 翡翠、川蝉、魚狗. Readings: カワセミ、かわせみ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “kingfisher”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 鴗 | そにどり sonidori | kingfisher |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 赤翡翠 | あかしょうびん akashoubin | ruddy kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda) |
| 翡翠色 | ひすいいろ hisuiiro | jade green |
| 山翡翠 | やませみ yamasemi | crested kingfisher (Megaceryle lugubris) |
| 翠玉 | すいぎょく suigyoku | emerald |
| 翠緑 | すいりょく suiryoku | green (esp. of trees, rocks, etc.) |
| 翠色 | すいしょく suishoku | green (of lush vegetation); verdure |
See also: Chinese symbol for “kingfisher”.
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.