Japanese symbol for “spare”
予備
よび
Romaji: yobi
reserve; spare
In Japanese, spare is 予備, read よび (yobi).
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
- adj-no, n reserve; spare
- adj-no, n preparation; preliminaries
Written forms: 予備、預備. Readings: よび.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “spare”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 余計 | よけい yokei | extra; more; too much |
| 惜しむ | おしむ oshimu | to spare; to grudge; to be sparing (with) |
| 助ける | たすける tasukeru | to save; to rescue; to spare |
| 控え | ひかえ hikae | reserve; spare; backup |
| 取る | とる toru | to take up (time, space); to occupy; to spare |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 予定 | よてい yotei | plans; arrangement; schedule |
| 予想 | よそう yosou | expectation; anticipation; prediction |
| 予約 | よやく yoyaku | reservation; appointment; booking |
| 予算 | よさん yosan | estimate (of costs); budget |
| 予選 | よせん yosen | preliminary contest; qualifying round; trial |
| 準備 | じゅんび junbi | preparation; arrangements; getting ready |
| 整備 | せいび seibi | maintenance; servicing |
| 設備 | せつび setsubi | equipment; facilities; installation |
See also: Chinese symbol for “spare”.
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.