Japanese symbol for “signify”
表す
あらわす
Romaji: arawasu
to represent; to signify; to stand for
In Japanese, signify is 表す, read あらわす (arawasu).
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
- v5s, vt to represent; to signify; to stand for
- v5s, vt to reveal; to show; to display
- v5s, vt to express
- v5s, vt to make widely known
Written forms: 表す、現す、表わす、現わす. Readings: あらわす.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “signify”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 示す | しめす shimesu | to indicate; to show; to represent |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 発表 | はっぴょう happyou | announcement; publication; presenting |
| 代表 | だいひょう daihyou | representation; representative; delegate |
| 表現 | ひょうげん hyougen | expression; representation; description |
| 表情 | ひょうじょう hyoujou | facial expression; countenance |
| 公表 | こうひょう kouhyou | official announcement; proclamation |
| 表面 | ひょうめん hyoumen | surface; face |
See also: Chinese symbol for “signify”.
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.