Japanese symbol for “tickle”

In Japanese, tickle is 擽る, read くすぐる (kusuguru).

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

1. v5r, vt to tickle
2. v5r, vt to tickle (one's curiosity, vanity, etc.); to arouse; to appeal to; to flatter
3. v5r, vt to make (someone) laugh; to amuse; to entertain

Written forms: 擽る、擽ぐる. Readings: くすぐる.

Kanji and stroke order

↻ Replay stroke order

Other Japanese words for “tickle”

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

See also: Chinese symbol for “tickle”.

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.