Japanese symbol for “stretcher”
担架
たんか
Romaji: tanka
stretcher; litter; gurney
In Japanese, stretcher is 担架, read たんか (tanka).
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 stretcher; litter; gurney
Written forms: 担架. Readings: たんか、タンカ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “stretcher”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ストレッチャー | ストレッチャー sutoretchaa | (wheeled) stretcher; gurney; trolley |
| 担送車 | たんそうしゃ tansousha | (wheeled) stretcher; gurney |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 担当 | たんとう tantou | being in charge (of an area of responsibility); being responsible (for a work role, etc.) |
| 負担 | ふたん futan | burden; load; responsibility |
| 担保 | たんぽ tanpo | security; guarantee; collateral |
| 担任 | たんにん tannin | being in charge of (esp. a class or subject); taking charge of |
| 分担 | ぶんたん buntan | taking on one's share (e.g. of work); dividing (work, expenses, etc.) between; apportionment |
| 担う | になう ninau | to carry on one's shoulder; to shoulder; to bear |
| 架空 | かくう kakuu | fictitious; imaginary; fanciful |
| 十字架 | じゅうじか juujika | cross (for crucifixion); the Cross (of Christ) |
See also: Chinese symbol for “stretcher”.
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.