Japanese symbol for “reversing”
後退
こうたい
Romaji: koutai
retreat; falling back; moving backwards; reversing
In Japanese, reversing is 後退, read こうたい (koutai).
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, vi, vs retreat; falling back; moving backwards; reversing; backing up (of a vehicle); retrogression
- n, vi, vs recession; waning
- n backspace (key) (comp)
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “reversing”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| バック | バック bakku | going backwards; reversing; backing up |
| 後進 | こうしん koushin | moving backwards; backing up; reversing |
| 反覆 | はんぷく hanpuku | reversing; turning around; flipping |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 最後 | さいご saigo | end; conclusion |
| 今後 | こんご kongo | from now on; hereafter |
| 午後 | ごご gogo | afternoon; p.m. |
| 後半 | こうはん kouhan | second half; latter half |
| 後ろ | うしろ ushiro | back; behind; rear |
| 直後 | ちょくご chokugo | immediately following |
| 引退 | いんたい intai | retirement |
| 退職 | たいしょく taishoku | retirement; resignation |
See also: Chinese symbol for “reversing”.
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.