Japanese symbol for “spunky”

In Japanese, spunky is ぴちぴち (pichipichi).

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. adv-to, vs bursting with youth and energy (esp. young woman); vivaciously young; spunky; energetic
2. adv-to (fish) jumping around energetically (e.g. when caught in a net)
3. adj-no bursting (e.g. seams); tight
4. adv-to splattering (e.g. cooking oil)

Written forms: —. Readings: ぴちぴち、ピチピチ、ぴっちぴっち、ぴっちぴち.

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.