Japanese symbol for “modernize”
開ける
ひらける
Romaji: hirakeru
to open out (of a view, scenery, etc.); to spread out; to become clear (of a road, visibility, etc.); to open up
In Japanese, modernize is 開ける, read ひらける (hirakeru).
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
- v1, vi to open out (of a view, scenery, etc.); to spread out; to become clear (of a road, visibility, etc.); to open up
- v1, vi to improve (of luck, prospects, etc.); to get better
- v1, vi to develop (of a town, civilization, etc.); to become civilized; to modernize; to grow; to advance (of knowledge, ideas, etc.)
- v1, vi to be sensible; to be understanding; to be enlightened
- v1, vi to open (of a new road, railway, etc.); to be opened to traffic
- v1, vi to become populous; to become densely built; to become bustling
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “modernize”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| モダナイズ | モダナイズ modanaizu | modernize; modernise |
| 今めかす | いまめかす imamekasu | to modernize; to modernise |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 開催 | かいさい kaisai | holding (a conference, exhibition, etc.); opening; hosting (e.g. the Olympics) |
| 公開 | こうかい koukai | opening to the public; making available to the public; exhibiting |
| 開発 | かいはつ kaihatsu | development; cultivation; application |
| 開始 | かいし kaishi | start; commencement; beginning |
| 展開 | てんかい tenkai | development; evolution; progression |
| 開放 | かいほう kaihou | opening (a door, window, etc.); leaving open |
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.