Japanese symbol for “prod”
突く
つく
Romaji: tsuku
to prick; to stab
In Japanese, prod is 突く, read つく (tsuku).
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
- v5k, vt to prick; to stab
- v5k, vt to poke; to prod; to push; to thrust; to nudge; to hit
- v5k, vt to use (a cane); to prop oneself up with; to press against (the floor, etc.)
- v5k, vt to attack
- v5k, vt to brave (the rain, etc.)
Written forms: 突く、衝く、撞く、捺く. Readings: つく.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “prod”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 突き棒 | つきぼう tsukibou | (cattle) prod; goad |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 突然 | とつぜん totsuzen | abrupt; sudden; unexpected |
| 突破 | とっぱ toppa | breaking through; breakthrough; penetration |
| 衝突 | しょうとつ shoutotsu | collision; crash; impact |
| 突入 | とつにゅう totsunyuu | rushing into; breaking into; storming |
| 突如 | とつじょ totsujo | suddenly; all of a sudden; unexpectedly |
| 突き | つき tsuki | thrust; stab; lunge |
See also: Chinese symbol for “prod”.
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.