Japanese symbol for “laity”
俗
ぞく
Romaji: zoku
layman (esp. as opposed to a Buddhist monk); laity; man of the world; the world
In Japanese, laity is 俗, read ぞく (zoku).
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 layman (esp. as opposed to a Buddhist monk); laity; man of the world; the world
- n local manners; modern customs
- adj-na, adj-no common; popular
- adj-na, adj-no vulgar; low
Written forms: 俗. Readings: ぞく、しょく.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “laity”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 信徒 | しんと shinto | layman; believer; adherent |
| 在家 | ざいけ zaike | layperson; layman; laywoman |
| 平信徒 | ひらしんと hirashinto | layman; laity |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 風俗 | ふうぞく fuuzoku | manners; customs |
| 世俗 | せぞく sezoku | worldly things; common customs; ordinary life |
| 俗語 | ぞくご zokugo | colloquialism; colloquial language; slang |
| 民俗 | みんぞく minzoku | folk customs; folkways; ethnic customs |
| 低俗 | ていぞく teizoku | vulgar; lowbrow; coarse |
| 習俗 | しゅうぞく shuuzoku | manners and customs; folkways; usage |
See also: Chinese symbol for “laity”.
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.