Japanese symbol for “prevent”
阻む
はばむ
Romaji: habamu
to keep someone from doing; to stop; to prevent; to check
In Japanese, prevent is 阻む, read はばむ (habamu).
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
- v5m, vt to keep someone from doing; to stop; to prevent; to check; to hinder; to obstruct
Written forms: 阻む、沮む. Readings: はばむ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “prevent”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 防ぐ | ふせぐ fusegu | to prevent; to avert; to avoid |
| 食い止める | くいとめる kuitomeru | to check; to hold back; to keep at bay |
| 妨げる | さまたげる samatageru | to disturb; to prevent; to obstruct |
| 拒む | こばむ kobamu | to prevent (from doing); to deny (e.g. access); to block |
| 止める | とめる tomeru | to prevent; to suppress (a cough); to hold back (tears) |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 阻止 | そし soshi | obstruction; prevention; hindrance |
| 阻害 | そがい sogai | obstruction; impediment; hindrance |
| 悪阻 | つわり tsuwari | morning sickness; nausea and vomiting of pregnancy |
| 阻却 | そきゃく sokyaku | rejection |
See also: Chinese symbol for “prevent”.
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.