Japanese symbol for “twinkle”
瞬く
またたく
Romaji: matataku
to twinkle (e.g. stars); to flicker; to waver
In Japanese, twinkle is 瞬く, read またたく (matataku).
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
- v5k, vi to twinkle (e.g. stars); to flicker; to waver
- v5k, vi to blink (one's eyes); to wink; to bat
Written forms: 瞬く. Readings: またたく、まばたく、まだたく.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “twinkle”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 輝く | かがやく kagayaku | to shine; to sparkle; to twinkle |
| 煌めき | きらめき kirameki | glitter; glimmer; sparkle |
| 煌めく | きらめく kirameku | to glitter; to sparkle; to twinkle |
| トウインクル | トウインクル touinkuru | twinkle |
| ピカピカ光る | ピカピカひかる pikapikahikaru | to sparkle; to glitter; to twinkle |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 瞬間 | しゅんかん shunkan | moment; instant; second |
| 一瞬 | いっしゅん isshun | instant; moment; for an instant |
| 瞬時 | しゅんじ shunji | instant; moment; (split) second |
See also: Chinese symbol for “twinkle”.
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.