King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “preferably”

Romaji: issou
even more; still more; all the more; more than ever

In Japanese, preferably is , read (issou).

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. adv even more; still more; all the more; more than ever
  2. n one layer
  3. n lowest floor (of a building)
  4. adv rather; sooner; preferably

Kanji and stroke order

one, one radical (no.1)
on: イチ、イツ
kun: ひと-、ひと.つ
1 strokes · JLPT 4
stratum, social class, layer
on: ソウ
14 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “preferably”

WordReadingMeaning
いっそ issorather; sooner; preferably
いっそのこと issonokotorather; sooner; preferably
なるべくなら narubekunaraif possible; preferably; if circumstances allow
いっそうのこと issounokotorather; sooner; preferably

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
いっしょ issho(doing) together
いちばん ichibannumber one; first; first place
ひとつ hitotsuone
いっぱん ippangeneral; universal
いちぶ ichibuone part; one portion; one section
いっぽう ippouone (esp. of two); the other; one way
こうそう kousouhigh-rise (building); multistory; multistoried
かいそう kaisouclass; level; stratum

See also: Chinese symbol for “preferably”.

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 Bokken Bags and Cases for Martial Arts Training
  2. Choosing the Best Wooden Tanto for Realistic Knife Drills
  3. What Is a Suburito and Is It Worth Buying for Strength
  4. Buying a Wooden Wakizashi for Two-Sword Practice
  5. Buying Chanbara Swords for Sparring and Competition
  6. What Size Shinai Does a Child Need for Kendo Practice
  7. Best Polypropylene Bokken for Hard Contact Training
  8. Best Foam Swords for Kids Martial Arts and Safe Practice
  9. Are Cold Steel Training Swords Good for Practice
  10. Shinai Maintenance and Essential Tools for Bamboo Care