King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “propriety”

Romaji: kahi
propriety; right and wrong; advisability; possibility

In Japanese, propriety is , read (kahi).

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. adj-no, n propriety; right and wrong; advisability; possibility
  2. adj-no, n pro and con; ayes and noes

Kanji and stroke order

can, passable, approval
on: カ、コク
kun: -べ.き、-べ.し
5 strokes · JLPT 2
negate, no, noes
on: ヒ
kun: いな、いや
7 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “propriety”

WordReadingMeaning
さほう sahoumanners; etiquette; propriety
とうひ touhipropriety; right or wrong; justice
ぐあい guaiface; dignity; decency
てきひ tekihipropriety; fitness; aptitude
れいせつ reisetsudecorum; propriety; politeness

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
かのう kanoupossible; potential; practicable
きょか kyokapermission; approval; authorization
ふかのう fukanouimpossible
かわいそう kawaisoupoor; pitiable; pathetic
かわいい kawaiicute; adorable; charming
にんか ninkaapproval; license; licence
きょひ kyohirefusal; rejection; denial
ひてい hiteidenial; negation; repudiation

See also: Chinese symbol for “propriety”.

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.

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