Japanese symbol for “run”

In Japanese, run is 走る, read はしる (hashiru).

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 run
2. v5r, vi to run (of a vehicle); to drive; to travel; to move; to sail
3. v5r, vi to rush (to); to dash; to race
4. v5r, vi to retreat; to flee; to defect (to)
5. v5r, vi to run away; to abscond; to elope
6. v5r, vi to flash (of lightning); to streak; to shoot (through; e.g. of pain); to run (through); to flare; to flit (e.g. across one's face)

Written forms: 走る、奔る、疾る、趨る. Readings: はしる.

Kanji and stroke order

↻ Replay stroke order

Other Japanese words for “run”

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

See also: Chinese symbol for “run”.

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.