Japanese symbol for “portray”
映し出す
うつしだす
Romaji: utsushidasu
to project; to show (on a screen); to reflect (of a mirror, lake, etc.)
In Japanese, portray is 映し出す, read うつしだす (utsushidasu).
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
- v5s, vt to project; to show (on a screen); to reflect (of a mirror, lake, etc.)
- v5s, vt to portray; to depict; to describe
- v5s, vt to reflect (the times, mood, etc.)
Written forms: 映し出す、写し出す、映しだす、写しだす. Readings: うつしだす.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “portray”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 写す | うつす utsusu | to describe; to depict; to portray |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 映画 | えいが eiga | movie; film; motion picture |
| 映像 | えいぞう eizou | image (on a screen); picture (e.g. on a TV) |
| 上映 | じょうえい jouei | screening (a movie); showing |
| 反映 | はんえい han'ei | reflection (of light) |
| 放映 | ほうえい houei | televising; broadcasting; airing |
| 映る | うつる utsuru | to be reflected; to harmonize with (harmonise); to come out (photo) |
| 出演 | しゅつえん shutsuen | appearance (in a film, play, TV show, etc.); performance |
| 出す | だす dasu | to take out; to get out |
See also: Chinese symbol for “portray”.
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.