King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “probe”

Romaji: tansa
probe; inquiry; enquiry; investigation

In Japanese, probe is , read (tansa).

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. n, vs, vt probe; inquiry; enquiry; investigation

Kanji and stroke order

grope, search, look for
on: タン
kun: さぐ.る、さが.す
11 strokes · JLPT 2
investigate
on: サ
9 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “probe”

WordReadingMeaning
さぐり sagurisounding; probing; probe
プローブ puroobuprobe; inquiry; investigation
ゾンデ zondeprobe; sound
ようすみ yousumiprobe; probing move
たんさき tansaki(space) probe

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
さがす sagasuto search for; to look for; to hunt for
たんけん tankenexploration; expedition
たんさく tansakusearch; lookup; hunt
たんてい tanteidetective; investigator; sleuth
たんち tanchidetection
ちょうさ chousainvestigation; examination; inquiry
けんさ kensainspection (e.g. customs, factory); examination; test
そうさ sousasearch (esp. in criminal investigations); investigation; inquiry

See also: Chinese symbol for “probe”.

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 Shinai for Kendo Beginners Choosing Your First Sword
  2. Choosing the Best Bokken for Kendo Kata
  3. Using a Tsuba on Your Bokken for Partner Practice
  4. How Much Should You Spend on a Wooden Practice Sword
  5. How Long Should a Bokken Be for Your Height
  6. Red Oak vs White Oak for Bokken Which Wood Wins
  7. Best Bokken for Beginners: Choosing Your First Training Sword
  8. Best Escrima Sticks for Students Choosing Your First Pair
  9. Essential Accessories for Your First Pair of Escrima Sticks
  10. Best Escrima Sticks for Your First Seminar