Japanese symbol for “lifeboat”
助け舟
たすけぶね
Romaji: tasukebune
lifeboat
In Japanese, lifeboat is 助け舟, read たすけぶね (tasukebune).
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 lifeboat
- n friend in need; helping hand; timely help
Written forms: 助け舟、助け船、助けぶね. Readings: たすけぶね.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “lifeboat”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 救命ボート | きゅうめいボート kyuumeibooto | lifeboat |
| 救命艇 | きゅうめいてい kyuumeitei | lifeboat |
| 救助船 | きゅうじょせん kyuujosen | lifeboat; rescue ship |
| 救助艇 | きゅうじょてい kyuujotei | lifeboat; rescue boat |
| ライフボート | ライフボート raifubooto | lifeboat |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 補助 | ほじょ hojo | assistance; support; help |
| 援助 | えんじょ enjo | assistance; aid; support |
| 助手 | じょしゅ joshu | assistant; helper |
| 救助 | きゅうじょ kyuujo | relief; aid; rescue |
| 助言 | じょげん jogen | advice; counsel; suggestion |
| 助け | たすけ tasuke | assistance; help; aid |
| 小舟 | こぶね kobune | small boat |
| 呉越同舟 | ごえつどうしゅう goetsudoushuu | bitter enemies in the same boat; rivals finding themselves together by chance; strange bedfellows |
See also: Chinese symbol for “lifeboat”.
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.