Japanese symbol for “rectify”

正す

ただす

Romaji: tadasu

to correct; to rectify; to reform; to amend

In Japanese, rectify is 正す, read ただす (tadasu).

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

v5s, vt to correct; to rectify; to reform; to amend; to redress
v5s, vt to straighten (one's posture, collar, etc.); to adjust

Kanji and stroke order

正

correct, justice, righteous

on: セイ、ショウ
kun: ただ.しい、ただ.す、まさ、まさ.に

5 strokes · JLPT 3

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
正直	しょうじき shoujiki	honest; frank; candid
修正	しゅうせい shuusei	amendment; correction; revision
改正	かいせい kaisei	revision; amendment; alteration
正義	せいぎ seigi	justice; right; righteousness
正式	せいしき seishiki	formal; official; regular
不正	ふせい fusei	injustice; unfairness; wrongdoing

See also: Chinese symbol for “rectify”.

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.