Japanese symbol for “tempt”
誘う
さそう
Romaji: sasou
to invite; to ask (someone to do); to call (for); to take (someone) along
In Japanese, tempt is 誘う, read さそう (sasou).
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
- v5u, vt to invite; to ask (someone to do); to call (for); to take (someone) along
- v5u, vt to tempt; to lure; to entice; to seduce
- v5u, vt to induce (tears, laughter, sleepiness, etc.); to arouse (e.g. sympathy); to provoke
Written forms: 誘う. Readings: さそう、いざなう.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “tempt”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 惑わす | まどわす madowasu | to tempt; to seduce |
| 仕向ける | しむける shimukeru | to induce (someone to do something); to tempt |
| 釣る | つる tsuru | to lure in; to tempt; to attract |
| 唆す | そそのかす sosonokasu | to instigate; to tempt; to entice |
| 誘い込む | さそいこむ sasoikomu | to entice; to tempt; to invite someone to join in |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 誘導 | ゆうどう yuudou | guidance; leading; induction |
| 誘拐 | ゆうかい yuukai | abduction; kidnapping; kidnaping |
| 誘惑 | ゆうわく yuuwaku | temptation; allurement; lure |
| 勧誘 | かんゆう kan'yuu | invitation; solicitation; canvassing |
| 誘い | さそい sasoi | invitation; introduction |
See also: Chinese symbol for “tempt”.
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.