Japanese symbol for “suckers”

脇芽

わきめ

Romaji: wakime

axillary bud; lateral bud

In Japanese, suckers is 脇芽, read わきめ (wakime).

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 axillary bud; lateral bud (bot)
n side shoots (e.g. of a tomato or broccoli plant); side buds; suckers

Written forms: 脇芽、わき芽、腋芽. Readings: わきめ、えきが.

Kanji and stroke order

脇

armpit, the other way, another place

on: キョウ
kun: わき、わけ

10 strokes

芽

bud, sprout, spear

on: ガ
kun: め

8 strokes · JLPT 1

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
脇役	わきやく wakiyaku	supporting role (actor); minor role
関脇	せきわけ sekiwake	wrestler of the third highest rank
脇腹	わきばら wakibara	side (of the torso); flank
脇の下	わきのした wakinoshita	armpit; axilla
脇見	わきみ wakimi	looking aside; looking away (e.g. while driving); looking the other way
脇道	わきみち wakimichi	side road; byroad
発芽	はつが hatsuga	germination; sprouting; budding
芽生え	めばえ mebae	bud; sprout

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.