Japanese symbol for “pus”
膿
うみ
Romaji: umi
pus
In Japanese, pus is 膿, read うみ (umi).
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 pus
- n corruption; rot; evils
Written forms: 膿、膿み. Readings: うみ、のう.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “pus”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 膿汁 | のうじゅう noujuu | pus |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 化膿 | かのう kanou | suppuration; festering; purulence |
| 膿瘍 | のうよう nouyou | abscess |
| 膿む | うむ umu | to fester; to form pus |
| 蓄膿症 | ちくのうしょう chikunoushou | empyema |
| 膿疱 | のうほう nouhou | pustule; pustula |
| 歯槽膿漏 | しそうのうろう shisounourou | periodontitis; pyorrhea; pyorrhoea |
See also: Chinese symbol for “pus”.
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.