Japanese symbol for “present”
現在
げんざい
Romaji: genzai
the present; present time; now
In Japanese, present is 現在, read げんざい (genzai).
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-no, adv, n the present; present time; now
- n-suf as of
- n present tense (gramm)
- n this world; this life (Buddh)
- vi, vs to actually exist; to exist right now; to exist right in front of one
Written forms: 現在、見在. Readings: げんざい.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “present”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 贈り物 | おくりもの okurimono | present; gift |
| 現行 | げんこう genkou | present; current; in operation |
| プレゼント | プレゼント purezento | present; gift |
| 与える | あたえる ataeru | to give (esp. to someone of lower status); to bestow; to grant |
| 贈る | おくる okuru | to give (as a gift); to present |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 現れ | あらわれ araware | embodiment; manifestation; materialization |
| 現実 | げんじつ genjitsu | reality; actuality; hard fact |
| 表現 | ひょうげん hyougen | expression; representation; description |
| 現場 | げんば genba | actual spot; scene (of a crime, accident, etc.) |
| 現代 | げんだい gendai | present age; present day; contemporary |
| 存在 | そんざい sonzai | existence; being; presence |
| 滞在 | たいざい taizai | stay; sojourn |
| 在日 | ざいにち zainichi | resident in Japan (of a foreigner); situated in Japan (e.g. of an embassy) |
See also: Chinese symbol for “present”.
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.