King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “reaction”

Romaji: hannou
reaction; response

In Japanese, reaction is , read (hannou).

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. n, vi, vs reaction; response
  2. n, vi, vs physical reaction (to a stimulus); observable response (of an organism)
  3. n, vi, vs reaction; effect; change (chem)

Written forms: . Readings: .

Kanji and stroke order

anti-
on: ハン、ホン、タン、ホ
kun: そ.る、そ.らす、かえ.す、かえ.る
4 strokes · JLPT 2
apply, answer, yes
on: オウ、ヨウ、-ノウ
kun: あた.る、まさに、こた.える
7 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “reaction”

WordReadingMeaning
はんどう handoureaction; recoil; kick
もどり modorireturn; reaction; recovery
はんさよう hansayoureaction
たいおう taioudealing with; coping with; handling
リアクション riakushonreaction; response

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
はんたい hantaiopposition; resistance; antagonism
いはん ihanviolation; offense; offence
はんぱつ hanpatsuopposition; rebellion; revolt
はんせい hanseireflection; reconsideration; introspection
はんらん hanraninsurrection; mutiny; rebellion
たいおう taioucorrespondence (to); equivalence
おうえん ouenaid; assistance; help
おうぼ ouboapplication; subscription; entry (competition, raffle, etc.)

See also: Chinese symbol for “reaction”.

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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