King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “sleeper”

Romaji: makuragi
(railway) sleeper; (railroad) tie; crosstie

In Japanese, sleeper is , read (makuragi).

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

  1. n (railway) sleeper; (railroad) tie; crosstie (rail)

Kanji and stroke order

pillow
on: チン、シン
kun: まくら
8 strokes
tree, wood
on: ボク、モク
kun: き、こ-
4 strokes · JLPT 4

Other Japanese words for “sleeper”

WordReadingMeaning
おおびき oobikisleeper; lumber girder
スリーパー suriipaasleeper; sleeping person
しんだいしゃ shindaishasleeping car; sleeper

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
まくらことば makurakotobapillow word; decorative word used prefixally in classical Japanese literature
まくらもと makuramotobedside; near one's pillow
まくらのそうし makuranosoushiThe Pillow Book (Heian-period collection of writings by Sei Shōnagon)
ひざまくら hizamakuralaying one's head in someone's lap; using someone's lap for a pillow
ゆめまくら yumemakuraat the bedside where one dreams
もくざい mokuzailumber; timber; wood
もくぞう mokuzouwooden; made of wood; wooden construction
もくよう mokuyouThursday

See also: Chinese symbol for “sleeper”.

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.

Last posts

  1. Best Action-Flex Padded Weapons for Safe Sparring
  2. Best Escrima Sticks for Tall Practitioners by Reach
  3. Buying Bulk Rattan Sticks for Classes on a Budget
  4. Best Escrima Sticks for Kids Under Ten
  5. How Many Kali Sticks Should You Own for Training
  6. Best Stick Striking Gear Tire Stands vs Training Dummies
  7. Best Forearm Guards for Stick Drills and Impact Protection
  8. Best Burned-Pattern Rattan Sticks for Gift Giving
  9. Choosing a Stick-Fighting Helmet for Club Sparring
  10. How to Stop Escrima Sticks Slipping with Sweaty Hands