Japanese symbol for “revolve”

In Japanese, revolve is 回る, read まわる (mawaru).

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

1. v5r, vi to turn; to rotate; to revolve; to spin
2. v5r, vi to go around; to circle; to revolve around; to orbit
3. v5r, vi to make the rounds (of); to go around (several places); to travel around; to make a tour of; to patrol
4. v5r, vi to go by way of; to go via; to stop by (on the way); to take a roundabout route; to make a detour
5. v5r, vi to move around (to another place or position); to come around; to go over (e.g. to the opposing side)
6. v5r, vi to come around (of one's turn); to be passed around (of a cup, circular, etc.)

Written forms: 回る、廻る、周る. Readings: まわる.

Kanji and stroke order

↻ Replay stroke order

Other Japanese words for “revolve”

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

See also: Chinese symbol for “revolve”.

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.