Japanese symbol for “rudimentary”

初歩的

しょほてき

Romaji: shohoteki

elementary; basic; rudimentary

In Japanese, rudimentary is 初歩的, read しょほてき (shohoteki).

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

adj-na elementary; basic; rudimentary

Kanji and stroke order

初

first time, beginning

on: ショ
kun: はじ.め、はじ.めて、はつ、はつ-

7 strokes · JLPT 2

歩

walk, counter for steps

on: ホ、ブ、フ
kun: ある.く、あゆ.む

8 strokes · JLPT 3

的

bull's eye, mark, target

on: テキ
kun: まと

8 strokes · JLPT 2

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
最初	さいしょ saisho	beginning; outset; first
初期	しょき shoki	early days; early years; early stages
当初	とうしょ tousho	beginning; start; outset
初日	しょにち shonichi	first day; opening day
初めて	はじめて hajimete	for the first time
初心者	しょしんしゃ shoshinsha	beginner
徒歩	とほ toho	walking; going on foot
散歩	さんぽ sanpo	walk; stroll
目的	もくてき mokuteki	purpose; goal; aim

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.