Japanese symbol for “restrain”
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, restrain 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 “restrain”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 捕まえる | つかまえる tsukamaeru | to catch; to capture; to arrest |
| 引き止める | ひきとめる hikitomeru | to detain; to check; to restrain |
| 縛り付ける | しばりつける shibaritsukeru | to tie; to restrain; to confine |
| 繋ぐ | つなぐ tsunagu | to tie; to fasten; to restrain |
| 堪える | こらえる koraeru | to restrain; to control; to keep a check on |
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 “restrain”.
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.