Japanese symbol for “sixteen”

十六

じゅうろく

Romaji: juuroku

sixteen; 16

In Japanese, sixteen is 十六, read じゅうろく (juuroku).

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

num sixteen; 16

Written forms: 十六、１６、一六. Readings: じゅうろく.

Kanji and stroke order

十

ten

on: ジュウ、ジッ、ジュッ
kun: とお、と、そ

2 strokes · JLPT 4

六

six

on: ロク、リク
kun: む、む.つ、むっ.つ、むい

4 strokes · JLPT 4

Other Japanese words for “sixteen”

Word	Reading	Meaning
二八	にはち nihachi	sixteen
シックスティーン	シックスティーン shikkusutiin	sixteen

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
不十分	ふじゅうぶん fujuubun	insufficient; inadequate; imperfect
十字架	じゅうじか juujika	cross (for crucifixion); the Cross (of Christ)
十字	じゅうじ juuji	cross; cross shape
五十音	ごじゅうおん gojuuon	the Japanese syllabary
十字路	じゅうじろ juujiro	crossroads; intersection
十八番	おはこ ohako	one's favourite party trick (favorite); one's specialty; one's forte
六つ	むっつ muttsu	six
四六時中	しろくじちゅう shirokujichuu	around the clock; day and night

See also: Chinese symbol for “sixteen”.

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.