Japanese symbol for “sleeve”
袖
そで
Romaji: sode
sleeve
In Japanese, sleeve is 袖, read そで (sode).
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 sleeve
- n wing (of a stage, desk, gate, etc.)
- n flap (of a dust jacket)
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “sleeve”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| スリーブ | スリーブ suriibu | sleeve |
| 袂 | たもと tamoto | sleeve (esp. of a kimono); pocket of sleeve |
| 衣手 | ころもで koromode | sleeve |
| 鞘 | さや saya | cap (on a brush, pen, etc.); case; sleeve |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 半袖 | はんそで hansode | short sleeves |
| 長袖 | ながそで nagasode | long sleeves |
| 領袖 | りょうしゅう ryoushuu | leader; chief; boss |
| 小袖 | こそで kosode | short sleeved kimono (worn as an undergarment during the Heian period) |
| 袖口 | そでぐち sodeguchi | cuff; armhole |
| 振り袖 | ふりそで furisode | long-sleeved kimono |
See also: Chinese symbol for “sleeve”.
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.