Japanese symbol for “still”
尚
なお
Romaji: nao
still; yet
In Japanese, still is 尚, read なお (nao).
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
- adv still; yet
- adv more; still more; greater; further
- conj furthermore; in addition; moreover; note that ...
- adv as if; just like; as though
Written forms: 尚、猶、尚お、猶お. Readings: なお.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “still”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 依然 | いぜん izen | still; as yet; as it has been |
| 相変わらず | あいかわらず aikawarazu | as usual; as always; as before |
| 依然として | いぜんとして izentoshite | still; as yet; as of old |
| でも | でも demo | but; however; though |
| 未だ | まだ mada | still; as yet; only |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 和尚 | おしょう oshou | priestly teacher; preceptor |
| 高尚 | こうしょう koushou | high; noble; refined |
| 尚更 | なおさら naosara | still more; even more; all the more |
| 尚早 | しょうそう shousou | prematurity |
| 尚も | なおも naomo | still (continuing); as ever; further |
| 慶尚北道 | キョンサンプクト kyonsanpukuto | Gyeongsangbuk-do (South Korea); North Gyeongsang Province |
See also: Chinese symbol for “still”.
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.