Japanese symbol for “science”
科学
かがく
Romaji: kagaku
science
In Japanese, science is 科学, read かがく (kagaku).
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 science
- vs, vt to think about scientifically; to think in terms of science
Written forms: 科学、科學. Readings: かがく.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “science”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 理科 | りか rika | science (natural sciences and related fields, incl. mathematics, engineering, medicine, etc.) |
| 理学 | りがく rigaku | (physical) science; natural science |
| 学術 | がくじゅつ gakujutsu | science; learning; scholarship |
| サイエンス | サイエンス saiensu | science |
| サイエンス | サイエンス saiensu | Science (journal) |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 教科書 | きょうかしょ kyoukasho | textbook; coursebook; schoolbook |
| 外科 | げか geka | surgery (branch of medicine) |
| 学科 | がっか gakka | subject (of study); course of study |
| 科目 | かもく kamoku | (school) subject; curriculum; course |
| 歯科 | しか shika | dentistry |
| 学校 | がっこう gakkou | school |
| 大学 | だいがく daigaku | university; college |
| 学生 | がくせい gakusei | student (esp. a university student) |
See also: Chinese symbol for “science”.
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.