Japanese symbol for “skeleton”
骨格
こっかく
Romaji: kokkaku
skeleton; skeletal structure; build; frame
In Japanese, skeleton is 骨格, read こっかく (kokkaku).
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 skeleton; skeletal structure; build; frame; physique
- n framework
Written forms: 骨格、骨骼. Readings: こっかく.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “skeleton”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 骸骨 | がいこつ gaikotsu | skeleton |
| 白骨 | はっこつ hakkotsu | white (bleached) bone; skeleton |
| 骨組み | ほねぐみ honegumi | skeletal frame; skeleton; build |
| スケルトン | スケルトン sukeruton | skeleton (of a vertebrate, ship, building, etc.) |
| 骨 | こつ kotsu | bone; skeleton |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 骨折 | こっせつ kossetsu | bone fracture |
| 露骨 | ろこつ rokotsu | open; unconcealed; undisguised |
| 鉄骨 | てっこつ tekkotsu | steel frame; steel beam; steel girder |
| 背骨 | せぼね sebone | spine; backbone; spinal column |
| 遺骨 | いこつ ikotsu | cremated remains (esp. the bones); ashes |
| 価格 | かかく kakaku | price; value; cost |
| 性格 | せいかく seikaku | character (of a person); personality; disposition |
| 資格 | しかく shikaku | qualifications; requirements; capabilities |
See also: Chinese symbol for “skeleton”.
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.