Japanese symbol for “potential”
可能
かのう
Romaji: kanou
possible; potential; practicable; feasible
In Japanese, potential is 可能, read かのう (kanou).
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
- adj-na, n possible; potential; practicable; feasible
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “potential”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 仮想 | かそう kasou | imagination; supposition; virtual |
| ポテンシャル | ポテンシャル potensharu | potential |
| 潜在能力 | せんざいのうりょく senzainouryoku | potential; latent faculties; potential capacities |
| 可能性 | かのうせい kanousei | potential; potentiality; promise |
| 将来的 | しょうらいてき shouraiteki | future; possible; potential |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 許可 | きょか kyoka | permission; approval; authorization |
| 不可能 | ふかのう fukanou | impossible |
| 可哀想 | かわいそう kawaisou | poor; pitiable; pathetic |
| 可愛い | かわいい kawaii | cute; adorable; charming |
| 認可 | にんか ninka | approval; license; licence |
| 機能 | きのう kinou | function; facility; faculty |
| 能力 | のうりょく nouryoku | ability; faculty |
| 芸能 | げいのう geinou | public entertainment; performing arts |
See also: Chinese symbol for “potential”.
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.