Japanese symbol for “tear”
涙
なみだ
Romaji: namida
tear; tears; lachrymal secretion
In Japanese, tear is 涙, read なみだ (namida).
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 tear; tears; lachrymal secretion
- n sympathy
Written forms: 涙、泪、涕. Readings: なみだ、なみた、なだ、なんだ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “tear”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 破る | やぶる yaburu | to tear; to rip; to break |
| 裂け目 | さけめ sakeme | tear; rip; rent |
| 破れ | やぶれ yabure | tear; rip; breach |
| 破綻 | はたん hatan | tear (in clothing, etc.); rip; split |
| 裂く | さく saku | to tear; to rip up |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 感涙 | かんるい kanrui | tears (from being deeply moved); tears of gratitude |
| 催涙 | さいるい sairui | tear-inducing |
| 涙声 | なみだごえ namidagoe | tearful voice |
| 悔し涙 | くやしなみだ kuyashinamida | tears of regret; bitter tears; vexation |
| 涙ぐむ | なみだぐむ namidagumu | to have tears in one's eyes; to be moved to tears |
| 涙腺 | るいせん ruisen | tear gland; lacrimal gland |
See also: Chinese symbol for “tear”.
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.