Japanese symbol for “repurpose”
流用
りゅうよう
Romaji: ryuuyou
diversion (e.g. of funds); appropriation; misappropriation
In Japanese, repurpose is 流用, read りゅうよう (ryuuyou).
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, vs, vt diversion (e.g. of funds); appropriation; misappropriation
- n, vs, vt making use of (for another purpose); reuse; repurpose; utilization
Kanji and stroke order
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 流れ | ながれ nagare | flow (of a fluid or gas); stream; current |
| 交流 | こうりゅう kouryuu | exchange (e.g. cultural); interchange; interaction |
| 流行 | りゅうこう ryuukou | fashion; trend; vogue |
| 流通 | りゅうつう ryuutsuu | circulation (of money, goods, etc.); distribution |
| 流し | ながし nagashi | sink (e.g. in a kitchen) |
| 流す | ながす nagasu | to drain; to pour; to run |
| 使用 | しよう shiyou | use; application; employment |
| 利用 | りよう riyou | use; utilization; utilisation |
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.