King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “overtake”

Romaji: oikosu
to pass (e.g. car); to overtake

In Japanese, overtake is , read (oikosu).

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 pass (e.g. car); to overtake
  2. v5s, vt to surpass; to outstrip; to get ahead of; to outdistance

Written forms: . Readings: .

Kanji and stroke order

chase, drive away, follow
on: ツイ
kun: お.う
9 strokes · JLPT 2
surpass, cross over, move to
on: エツ、オツ
kun: こ.す、-こ.す、-ご.し、こ.える
12 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “overtake”

WordReadingMeaning
ぬかす nukasuto overtake; to pass
のりこえる norikoeruto surpass (a predecessor); to overtake
おいぬく oinukuto pass (a car); to overtake
ぬく nukuto pass; to overtake; to outstrip
かけぬける kakenukeruto run past (someone) from behind; to overtake

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
ついか tsuikaaddition; supplement; appending
ついほう tsuihouexile; banishment; eviction
おう outo chase; to run after; to pursue
ついきゅう tsuikyuuinvestigation (e.g. into someone's guilt); questioning; pressing
ついせき tsuisekichase; pursuit; tracking
ついきゅう tsuikyuupursuit (of a goal, ideal, etc.); search; chase
ひっこし hikkoshimoving (dwelling, office, etc.); changing residence
こえる koeruto cross over; to cross; to pass through

See also: Chinese symbol for “overtake”.

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.

Last posts

  1. Best Shinai for Kendo Beginners Choosing Your First Sword
  2. Choosing the Best Bokken for Kendo Kata
  3. Using a Tsuba on Your Bokken for Partner Practice
  4. How Much Should You Spend on a Wooden Practice Sword
  5. How Long Should a Bokken Be for Your Height
  6. Red Oak vs White Oak for Bokken Which Wood Wins
  7. Best Bokken for Beginners: Choosing Your First Training Sword
  8. Best Escrima Sticks for Students Choosing Your First Pair
  9. Essential Accessories for Your First Pair of Escrima Sticks
  10. Best Escrima Sticks for Your First Seminar