Japanese symbol for “thumb”
親指
おやゆび
Romaji: oyayubi
thumb
In Japanese, thumb is 親指, read おやゆび (oyayubi).
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 thumb
- n big toe
Written forms: 親指、おや指. Readings: おやゆび.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “thumb”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| サム | サム samu | thumb |
| 拇指 | ぼし boshi | thumb; pollex |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 母親 | ははおや hahaoya | mother |
| 父親 | ちちおや chichioya | father |
| 両親 | りょうしん ryoushin | parents; both parents |
| 親子 | おやこ oyako | parent and child |
| 親友 | しんゆう shin'yuu | close friend; bosom friend; buddy |
| 親族 | しんぞく shinzoku | relative; relation; kin |
| 指定 | してい shitei | designation; specification; assignment |
| 指導 | しどう shidou | guidance; leadership; instruction |
See also: Chinese symbol for “thumb”.
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.