Japanese symbol for “pattern”
模様
もよう
Romaji: moyou
pattern; figure; design
In Japanese, pattern is 模様, read もよう (moyou).
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
- n pattern; figure; design
- n state; condition
- n conjecture of the current situation; the way it seems
- n model; pattern; example
- n indicates that something seems likely (e.g. rain or storm)
- n framework; territorial framework; moyo (go)
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “pattern”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 柄 | がら gara | pattern; design |
| 型 | かた kata | type; style; model |
| 構造 | こうぞう kouzou | structure; construction; makeup |
| 文様 | もんよう mon'you | pattern; design |
| 典型 | てんけい tenkei | type; pattern; model |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 規模 | きぼ kibo | scale; scope; plan |
| 模型 | もけい mokei | model; dummy; maquette |
| 模範 | もはん mohan | exemplar; model; example |
| 小規模 | しょうきぼ shoukibo | small scale |
| 模倣 | もほう mohou | imitation; copying |
| 同様 | どうよう douyou | same; similar; (just) like |
| 様子 | ようす yousu | state (of affairs); situation; circumstances |
| 様々 | さまざま samazama | various; varied; diverse |
See also: Chinese symbol for “pattern”.
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.