Japanese symbol for “rotting”
腐れ
くされ
Romaji: kusare
rotting; spoiling; decaying; corroding
In Japanese, rotting is 腐れ, read くされ (kusare).
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 rotting; spoiling; decaying; corroding
- pref rotten; worthless; paltry; contemptible
Written forms: 腐れ. Readings: くされ、クサレ.
Kanji and stroke order
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 腐敗 | ふはい fuhai | decomposition; putrefaction; putrescence |
| 豆腐 | とうふ toufu | tofu; bean curd; beancurd |
| 腐食 | ふしょく fushoku | rot; decay; erosion |
| 腐る | くさる kusaru | to rot; to go bad; to decay |
| 陳腐 | ちんぷ chinpu | stale; hackneyed; clichéd |
| 腐り | くさり kusari | rottenness; decay; corruption |
See also: Chinese symbol for “rotting”.
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.
Last posts
- Best Wooden Butterfly Knives for Wing Chun Form Practice
- Choosing a Bokken Set for Training Quality and Durability
- Best Lightweight Bokken for Older Students and Senior Aikido
- Choosing a Bokken for Koryu Practice by School Requirements
- Choosing a Bokken Tsuba and Stopper Set for Training
- Cotton vs Polyester Hakama Which Is Easier to Maintain
- Choosing Your First Bokken for Serious Samurai Training
- Are Engraved Bokken Good Gifts and Can You Train With Them
- Best Wooden Naginata for Practice and How to Choose Yours
- Choosing a Keikogi for Hakama Compatibility and Performance