King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “volunteering”

Romaji: shigan
aspiration; volunteering; desire; application

In Japanese, volunteering is , read (shigan).

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. adj-no, n, vi aspiration; volunteering; desire; application

Kanji and stroke order

intention, plan, resolve
on: シ
kun: シリング、こころざ.す、こころざし
7 strokes · JLPT 2
petition, request, vow
on: ガン
kun: ねが.う、-ねがい
19 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “volunteering”

WordReadingMeaning
ていしん teishinoffering oneself (for); volunteering (to do); coming forward
むしょうこうい mushoukouigratuitous act; volunteering

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
いし ishiwill; volition; intention
どうし doushilike-mindedness; (being of the) same mind; shared sentiment
しこう shikouintention; aim; preference (for)
しぼう shibouwish; desire; ambition
ゆうし yuushiinterested person; volunteer; supporter
ねがい negaidesire; wish; hope
がんぼう ganboudesire; wish; aspiration
ねんがん nenganone's heart's desire; one's dearest wish

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.

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