Japanese symbol for “obey”
従う
したがう
Romaji: shitagau
to obey (an order, law, etc.); to abide by (a rule, custom, etc.); to follow; to observe
In Japanese, obey is 従う, read したがう (shitagau).
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
- v5u, vi to obey (an order, law, etc.); to abide by (a rule, custom, etc.); to follow; to observe; to conform to; to yield to
- v5u, vi to follow (a person); to accompany; to go with
- v5u, vi to go alongside (e.g. a river); to follow (e.g. a sign)
- v5u, vi to serve (as); to engage in (work)
Written forms: 従う、随う、順う、遵う. Readings: したがう.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “obey”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 守る | まもる mamoru | to keep (i.e. a promise); to abide (by the rules); to observe |
| 服する | ふくする fukusuru | to obey; to submit to; to yield to |
| 聞く | きく kiku | to follow (advice, order, etc.); to obey; to listen to |
| 服す | ふくす fukusu | to obey; to submit to; to yield to |
| 赴く | おもむく omomuku | to abide by; to agree to; to consent to |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 従来 | じゅうらい juurai | up to now; so far |
| 従事 | じゅうじ juuji | engaging in (work); pursuing (e.g. studies); following (a profession) |
| 従って | したがって shitagatte | therefore; consequently; accordingly |
| 服従 | ふくじゅう fukujuu | obedience; submission; resignation |
| 従軍 | じゅうぐん juugun | military service; serving in a war; taking part in a campaign |
See also: Chinese symbol for “obey”.
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.