Japanese symbol for “mission”
使命
しめい
Romaji: shimei
mission; errand
In Japanese, mission is 使命, read しめい (shimei).
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 mission; errand
- n task; duty; obligation
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “mission”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 使い | つかい tsukai | errand; mission; going on an errand |
| 任務 | にんむ ninmu | duty; function; office |
| ミッション | ミッション misshon | mission; delegation |
| 使節 | しせつ shisetsu | envoy; ambassador; delegate |
| お使い | おつかい otsukai | errand; mission; going on an errand |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 使用 | しよう shiyou | use; application; employment |
| 使う | つかう tsukau | to use (a tool, method, etc.); to make use of; to put to use |
| 使い | つかい tsukai | errand; mission; going on an errand |
| 大使館 | たいしかん taishikan | embassy |
| 行使 | こうし koushi | use; exercise (of one's right, authority, power, etc.) |
| 大使 | たいし taishi | ambassador |
| 生命 | せいめい seimei | life; existence |
| 革命 | かくめい kakumei | revolution |
See also: Chinese symbol for “mission”.
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.