Japanese symbol for “respectability”
聞こえ
きこえ
Romaji: kikoe
being able to hear something (clearly); clearness of a sound; reception (e.g. of a radio station)
In Japanese, respectability is 聞こえ, read きこえ (kikoe).
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 being able to hear something (clearly); clearness of a sound; reception (e.g. of a radio station)
- n reputation; renown; fame; hearsay
- n impression (that something gives off); respectability
- n sonority (ling)
Written forms: 聞こえ、聞え. Readings: きこえ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “respectability”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 外聞 | がいぶん gaibun | reputation; respectability; honour |
| 人聞き | ひとぎき hitogiki | reputation; respectability |
| 余所聞き | よそぎき yosogiki | reputation; respectability |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 新聞 | しんぶん shinbun | newspaper |
| 聞こえる | きこえる kikoeru | to be heard; to be audible; to reach one's ears |
| 聞く | きく kiku | to hear |
| 聞き手 | ききて kikite | hearer; listener; audience |
| 聞き取り | ききとり kikitori | listening comprehension; aural comprehension |
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.