King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “subtraction”

Romaji: koujo
subtraction; deduction (e.g. of tax)

In Japanese, subtraction is , read (koujo).

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. n, vs, vt subtraction; deduction (e.g. of tax)

Written forms: . Readings: .

Kanji and stroke order

withdraw, draw in, hold back
on: コウ
kun: ひか.える、ひか.え
11 strokes · JLPT 1
exclude, division (x/3), remove
on: ジョ、ジ
kun: のぞ.く、-よ.け
10 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “subtraction”

WordReadingMeaning
マイナス mainasuminus; subtraction; taking away
さしひき sashihikideduction; subtraction; balance
ひきざん hikizansubtraction
げんざん genzansubtraction
げん gensubtraction

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
ひかえる hikaeruto be temperate in; to refrain; to abstain
こうそ kousoappeal to a higher court; intermediate appeal
ひかえ hikaereserve; spare; backup
ひかえしつ hikaeshitsuwaiting room; anteroom; antechamber
ひかえめ hikaememoderate; reserved; modest
かいじょ kaijotermination (of a contract); cancellation; rescinding
そうじ soujicleaning; sweeping; dusting
はいじょ haijoexclusion; removal; elimination

See also: Chinese symbol for “subtraction”.

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.

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