Japanese symbol for “reserve”
予備
よび
Romaji: yobi
reserve; spare
In Japanese, reserve is 予備, read よび (yobi).
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
- adj-no, n reserve; spare
- adj-no, n preparation; preliminaries
Written forms: 予備、預備. Readings: よび.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “reserve”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 遠慮 | えんりょ enryo | reserve; constraint; restraint |
| 控え | ひかえ hikae | reserve; spare; backup |
| 申し込む | もうしこむ moushikomu | to apply for; to make an application; to propose (marriage) |
| 気兼ね | きがね kigane | constraint; reserve; feeling hesitant |
| 取る | とる toru | to secure; to reserve; to save |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 予定 | よてい yotei | plans; arrangement; schedule |
| 予想 | よそう yosou | expectation; anticipation; prediction |
| 予約 | よやく yoyaku | reservation; appointment; booking |
| 予算 | よさん yosan | estimate (of costs); budget |
| 予選 | よせん yosen | preliminary contest; qualifying round; trial |
| 準備 | じゅんび junbi | preparation; arrangements; getting ready |
| 整備 | せいび seibi | maintenance; servicing |
| 設備 | せつび setsubi | equipment; facilities; installation |
See also: Chinese symbol for “reserve”.
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.