Japanese symbol for “subordinate”
目下
めした
Romaji: meshita
subordinate; subordinates; inferior; inferiors
In Japanese, subordinate is 目下, read めした (meshita).
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 subordinate; subordinates; inferior; inferiors; junior
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “subordinate”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 手下 | てした teshita | subordinate; underling; henchman |
| 下部 | かぶ kabu | subordinate (office); good and faithful servant |
| 従 | じゅう juu | subordinate; secondary; junior |
| 下回り | したまわり shitamawari | subordinate work; menial service; subordinate |
| 幕下 | ばっか bakka | subordinate; vassal; retainer |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 目的 | もくてき mokuteki | purpose; goal; aim |
| 目標 | もくひょう mokuhyou | goal; target; aim |
| 注目 | ちゅうもく chuumoku | notice; attention; observation |
| 項目 | こうもく koumoku | item; heading; category |
| 目撃 | もくげき mokugeki | witnessing; observing; sighting |
| 駄目 | だめ dame | no good; not serving its purpose; useless |
| 以下 | いか ika | not exceeding ...; not more than ...; ... and under |
| 地下 | ちか chika | underground; below the ground |
See also: Chinese symbol for “subordinate”.
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.