Japanese symbol for “waveform”

波形

はけい

Romaji: hakei

wavy form; ripply shape

In Japanese, waveform is 波形, read はけい (hakei).

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

adj-no, n wavy form; ripply shape
n waveform (physics)

Written forms: 波形. Readings: はけい、なみがた.

Kanji and stroke order

波

waves, billows, Poland

on: ハ
kun: なみ

8 strokes · JLPT 2

形

shape, form, style

on: ケイ、ギョウ
kun: かた、-がた、かたち、なり

7 strokes · JLPT 2

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
電波	でんぱ denpa	radio wave; reception; signal
津波	つなみ tsunami	tsunami; tidal wave
波乱	はらん haran	disturbance; trouble; commotion
難波	なにわ naniwa	Naniwa (former name for Osaka region)
波長	はちょう hachou	wavelength
周波数	しゅうはすう shuuhasuu	frequency (esp. of waveforms)
形式	けいしき keishiki	form (as opposed to substance)
人形	にんぎょう ningyou	doll; puppet; marionette

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.