Japanese symbol for “subtraction”
控除
こうじょ
Romaji: koujo
subtraction; deduction (e.g. of tax)
In Japanese, subtraction is 控除, read こうじょ (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
- n, vs, vt subtraction; deduction (e.g. of tax)
Written forms: 控除、扣除. Readings: こうじょ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “subtraction”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| マイナス | マイナス mainasu | minus; subtraction; taking away |
| 差し引き | さしひき sashihiki | deduction; subtraction; balance |
| 引き算 | ひきざん hikizan | subtraction |
| 減算 | げんざん genzan | subtraction |
| 減 | げん gen | subtraction |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 控える | ひかえる hikaeru | to be temperate in; to refrain; to abstain |
| 控訴 | こうそ kouso | appeal to a higher court; intermediate appeal |
| 控え | ひかえ hikae | reserve; spare; backup |
| 控え室 | ひかえしつ hikaeshitsu | waiting room; anteroom; antechamber |
| 控えめ | ひかえめ hikaeme | moderate; reserved; modest |
| 解除 | かいじょ kaijo | termination (of a contract); cancellation; rescinding |
| 掃除 | そうじ souji | cleaning; sweeping; dusting |
| 排除 | はいじょ haijo | exclusion; 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.