Japanese symbol for “repress”
抑える
おさえる
Romaji: osaeru
to keep within limits (e.g. spending); to restrain (e.g. emotions); to control; to curb
In Japanese, repress is 抑える, read おさえる (osaeru).
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 keep within limits (e.g. spending); to restrain (e.g. emotions); to control; to curb; to hold in check
- v1, vt to hold back (e.g. an enemy); to check; to curb; to contain; to quell; to subdue
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “repress”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 押さえる | おさえる osaeru | to quell; to subdue; to suppress |
| 押さえつける | おさえつける osaetsukeru | to suppress (feelings, disorder, opposition, etc.); to repress |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 抑制 | よくせい yokusei | control; restraint; suppression |
| 抑え | おさえ osae | weight (e.g. paperweight); pressing down |
| 抑圧 | よくあつ yokuatsu | check; restraint; oppression |
| 抑止 | よくし yokushi | keeping in check; holding back; deterrence |
| 抑留 | よくりゅう yokuryuu | internment; detainment; detention |
See also: Chinese symbol for “repress”.
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.