Japanese symbol for “senses”

官能

かんのう

Romaji: kannou

the senses

In Japanese, senses is 官能, read かんのう (kannou).

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 the senses
n sensuality; carnality

Kanji and stroke order

官

bureaucrat, the government, organ

on: カン

8 strokes · JLPT 2

能

ability, talent, skill

on: ノウ
kun: よ.く、あた.う

10 strokes · JLPT 2

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
官僚	かんりょう kanryou	bureaucrat; government official; bureaucracy
警官	けいかん keikan	police officer; policeman; constable
長官	ちょうかん choukan	secretary (government); director; chief
官邸	かんてい kantei	official residence (e.g. of the prime minister)
官庁	かんちょう kanchou	government office; government agency; authorities
官房	かんぼう kanbou	government secretariat
可能	かのう kanou	possible; potential; practicable
機能	きのう kinou	function; facility; faculty

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.