Japanese symbol for “library”
図書館
としょかん
Romaji: toshokan
library
In Japanese, library is 図書館, read としょかん (toshokan).
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 library
Written forms: 図書館. Readings: としょかん、ずしょかん.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “library”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 文庫 | ぶんこ bunko | library; book collection |
| 書庫 | しょこ shoko | library; book storage; stack room |
| 書斎 | しょさい shosai | study; library; den |
| 書房 | しょぼう shobou | study; library |
| 蔵書 | ぞうしょ zousho | collection of books; (personal) library |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 地図 | ちず chizu | map; atlas; chart |
| 意図 | いと ito | intention; aim; design |
| 図る | はかる hakaru | to plan; to attempt; to devise |
| 図書 | としょ tosho | books |
| 合図 | あいず aizu | sign; signal; cue |
| 文書 | ぶんしょ bunsho | document; writing; letter |
| 書籍 | しょせき shoseki | book; publication |
| 書類 | しょるい shorui | document; papers |
| 美術館 | びじゅつかん bijutsukan | art museum; art gallery |
See also: Chinese symbol for “library”.
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.