Japanese symbol for “overlap”
合わせる
あわせる
Romaji: awaseru
to match (rhythm, speed, etc.)
In Japanese, overlap is 合わせる, read あわせる (awaseru).
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, vt to match (rhythm, speed, etc.)
- v1, vt to join together; to unite; to combine; to add up
- v1, vt to face; to be opposite (someone)
- v1, vt to compare; to check with
- v1, vt to cause to meet (e.g. an unpleasant fate)
- v1, vt to place together; to connect; to overlap
Written forms: 合わせる、併せる、合せる. Readings: あわせる.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “overlap”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 掛かる | かかる kakaru | to overlap (e.g. information in a manual); to cover |
| 被る | かぶる kaburu | to overlap (e.g. sound or color) |
| 重なる | かさなる kasanaru | to overlap (each other); to occur at the same time; to happen simultaneously |
| 重なり合う | かさなりあう kasanariau | to lie on top of each other; to overlap; to pile up |
| 打ち合わせ | うちあわせ uchiawase | overlap (of a coat, etc.) |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 場合 | ばあい baai | case; occasion; situation |
| 試合 | しあい shiai | match; game; bout |
| 総合 | そうごう sougou | synthesis; combination; integration |
| 合う | あう au | to come together; to merge; to unite |
| 連合 | れんごう rengou | union; combination; alliance |
| 合計 | ごうけい goukei | sum total; total amount |
See also: Chinese symbol for “overlap”.
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.