Japanese symbol for “neutralize”

In Japanese, neutralize is 消す, read けす (kesu).

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 erase; to rub out; to rub off; to cross out; to delete
2. v5s, vt to turn off (a light, TV, heater, etc.); to switch off
3. v5s, vt to extinguish (a fire, candle, etc.); to put out
4. v5s, vt to remove (a smell, pain, etc.); to eliminate; to get rid of; to relieve (pain, anxiety, etc.); to neutralize (poison)
5. v5s, vt to drown out (a sound); to deaden; to absorb; to muffle
6. v5s, vt to kill; to murder; to bump off; to rub out

Kanji and stroke order

↻ Replay stroke order

Other Japanese words for “neutralize”

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

See also: Chinese symbol for “neutralize”.

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.