King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “provoke”

Romaji: hikiokosu
to cause; to induce; to bring about; to provoke

In Japanese, provoke is , read (hikiokosu).

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. v5s, vt to cause; to induce; to bring about; to provoke
  2. v5s, vt to pull upright; to help up (e.g. a fallen person)

Written forms: . Readings: .

Kanji and stroke order

pull, tug, jerk
on: イン
kun: ひ.く、ひ.ける
4 strokes · JLPT 3
rouse, wake up, get up
on: キ
kun: お.きる、お.こる、お.こす、おこ.す
10 strokes · JLPT 3

Other Japanese words for “provoke”

WordReadingMeaning
うる uruto pick (a fight, quarrel, etc.); to provoke; to force on someone
さそう sasouto induce (tears, laughter, sleepiness, etc.); to arouse (e.g. sympathy); to provoke
おこらす okorasuto make (someone) angry; to anger; to offend
おこらせる okoraseruto make (someone) angry; to anger; to offend
しゃくにさわる shakunisawaruto annoy; to irritate; to cause offence

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
とりひき torihikitransactions; dealings; business
いんたい intairetirement
わりびき waribikidiscount; reduction; rebate
ひきつづき hikitsuzukicontinuously; continually; without a break
いんよう in'youquotation; citation; reference
ひっこし hikkoshimoving (dwelling, office, etc.); changing residence
きそ kisoprosecution; indictment
おこる okoruto occur; to happen

See also: Chinese symbol for “provoke”.

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 Aikido Hakama for Beginners Choosing Your First Pair
  2. Kendo Bogu Costs and Timing Your First Purchase
  3. Best Kendo Starter Sets for Beginners and How to Choose
  4. Best Sword Oil and Cloth Kits for Wooden Training Weapons
  5. Is Hickory a Good Wood for a Practice Sword
  6. Best Bokken for Tall Practitioners Choosing the Right Fit
  7. How Heavy Should a Practice Bokken Be for Training
  8. Choosing a Training Sword for Stage and Historical Combat
  9. Best Wooden Swords for Kids Starting Martial Arts Forms
  10. Are Wooden Kung Fu Swords Balanced Like Real Steel Blades