Japanese symbol for “reaction”
反応
はんのう
Romaji: hannou
reaction; response
In Japanese, reaction is 反応, read はんのう (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
- n, vi, vs reaction; response
- n, vi, vs physical reaction (to a stimulus); observable response (of an organism)
- n, vi, vs reaction; effect; change (chem)
Written forms: 反応. Readings: はんのう、はんおう.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “reaction”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 反動 | はんどう handou | reaction; recoil; kick |
| 戻り | もどり modori | return; reaction; recovery |
| 反作用 | はんさよう hansayou | reaction |
| 対応 | たいおう taiou | dealing with; coping with; handling |
| リアクション | リアクション riakushon | reaction; response |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 反対 | はんたい hantai | opposition; resistance; antagonism |
| 違反 | いはん ihan | violation; offense; offence |
| 反発 | はんぱつ hanpatsu | opposition; rebellion; revolt |
| 反省 | はんせい hansei | reflection; reconsideration; introspection |
| 反乱 | はんらん hanran | insurrection; mutiny; rebellion |
| 対応 | たいおう taiou | correspondence (to); equivalence |
| 応援 | おうえん ouen | aid; assistance; help |
| 応募 | おうぼ oubo | application; 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.