Japanese symbol for “pun”

洒落

しゃれ

Romaji: share

joke; pun; jest; witticism

In Japanese, pun is 洒落, read しゃれ (share).

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

n joke; pun; jest; witticism; wordplay
adj-na smartly dressed; stylish; fashion-conscious; refined

Written forms: 洒落. Readings: しゃれ、シャレ.

Kanji and stroke order

洒

wash, sprinkle

on: シャ、ソン、サイ、セン
kun: すす.ぐ、あら.う

9 strokes

落

fall, drop, come down

on: ラク
kun: お.ちる、お.ち、お.とす

12 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “pun”

Word	Reading	Meaning
掛ける	かける kakeru	to pun (on a word); to use (a word) as a pivot word; to play on words
語呂合わせ	ごろあわせ goroawase	wordplay; play on words; pun
地口	じぐち jiguchi	pun; play on words
掛詞	かけことば kakekotoba	kakekotoba; pivot word; play on words (esp. in poetry)
捩り	もじり mojiri	pun

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
お洒落	おしゃれ oshare	stylish; fashionable; trendy
瀟洒	しょうしゃ shousha	stylish; smart; elegant
駄洒落	だじゃれ dajare	feeble joke; poor joke; corny joke
落ちる	おちる ochiru	to fall; to drop; to come down
落ち	おち ochi	slip; omission
墜落	ついらく tsuiraku	fall; crash (of an aircraft)
落とす	おとす otosu	to drop; to lose; to let fall
落語	らくご rakugo	rakugo; traditional Japanese comic storytelling; comic story (told by a professional storyteller)