Japanese symbol for “react”
受ける
うける
Romaji: ukeru
to receive; to get
In Japanese, react is 受ける, read うける (ukeru).
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
- v1, vt to receive; to get
- v1, vt to catch (e.g. a ball)
- v1, vt to be struck by (wind, waves, sunlight, etc.)
- v1, vt to sustain (damage); to incur (a loss); to suffer (an injury); to feel (influence)
- v1, vt to undergo (e.g. surgery); to take (a test); to accept (a challenge)
- v1, vt to be given (e.g. life, talent)
Written forms: 受ける、請ける、承ける、享ける. Readings: うける、ウケる.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “react”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| リアクションを取る | リアクションをとる riakushon'otoru | to react; to respond |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 受験 | じゅけん juken | taking an examination (esp. for entrance to a school or university) |
| 受け | うけ uke | popularity; favour; favor |
| 受付 | うけつけ uketsuke | reception (desk); information desk; receptionist |
| 受信 | じゅしん jushin | receiving (a message, letter, email, etc.); reception (radio, TV, etc.) |
| 受け入れ | うけいれ ukeire | receiving; acceptance; reception |
See also: Chinese symbol for “react”.
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.