Japanese symbol for “type”

In Japanese, type is 型, read かた (kata).

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. n, n-suf type; style; model; pattern
2. n mold; mould; model; pattern; template; impression
3. n kata (set sequence of positions and movements in martial arts); style (in kabuki, noh, etc.); form
4. n convention; tradition; (standard) form; formula; usage
5. n (set) size; inches (in sizes of displays, disks, image sensors, etc.)
6. n (taxonomical) form

Written forms: 型. Readings: かた、がた.

Kanji and stroke order

↻ Replay stroke order

Other Japanese words for “type”

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

See also: Chinese symbol for “type”.

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.