Japanese symbol for “move”

In Japanese, move is 動かす, read うごかす (ugokasu).

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

1. v5s, vt to move; to shift; to stir; to budge; to change position
2. v5s, vt to inspire; to rouse; to move (e.g. feeling); to influence
3. v5s, vt to change; to alter; to deny
4. v5s, vt to operate; to set in motion; to get going
5. v5s, vt to mobilize (e.g. troops); to mobilise; to deploy
6. v5s, vt to manage (e.g. funds)

Kanji and stroke order

↻ Replay stroke order

Other Japanese words for “move”

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

See also: Chinese symbol for “move”.

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.