Japanese symbol for “spindle”
紡錘
ぼうすい
Romaji: bousui
spindle
In Japanese, spindle is 紡錘, read ぼうすい (bousui).
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 spindle
Written forms: 紡錘、錘. Readings: ぼうすい、つむ、つみ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “spindle”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| スピンドル | スピンドル supindoru | spindle |
| 紡錘体 | ぼうすいたい bousuitai | spindle |
| 縦軸 | たてじく tatejiku | vertical shaft; spindle |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 紡績 | ぼうせき bouseki | spinning (textiles) |
| 紡ぐ | つむぐ tsumugu | to spin; to make yarn |
| 紡織 | ぼうしょく boushoku | spinning and weaving |
| 混紡 | こんぼう konbou | mixed yarn; mixed spinning |
| 紡錘形 | ぼうすいけい bousuikei | spindle-shaped |
| 休錘 | きゅうすい kyuusui | idle spindles |
| 錘状 | すいじょう suijou | spindle shaped |
| 錘形 | つむがた tsumugata | spindle-shaped; fusiform |
See also: Chinese symbol for “spindle”.
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.