Japanese symbol for “winding”
巻
まき
Romaji: maki
roll (e.g. of cloth)
In Japanese, winding is 巻, read まき (maki).
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
- n roll (e.g. of cloth)
- n winding (e.g. watch)
- n volume (of book)
- n speeding up
- n heel (of a Japanese sandal)
Written forms: 巻、巻き. Readings: まき.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “winding”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 屈折 | くっせつ kussetsu | bending; curving; twisting |
| 曲折 | きょくせつ kyokusetsu | bending; winding; meandering |
| 巻き返し | まきかえし makikaeshi | winding (thread, etc.) |
| くねくね | くねくね kunekune | winding; meandering; wriggling |
| 巻き上げ | まきあげ makiage | lifting; hoisting; furling |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 巻き込む | まきこむ makikomu | to roll up; to enfold; to swallow up |
| 竜巻 | たつまき tatsumaki | tornado; whirlwind; waterspout |
| 巻き添え | まきぞえ makizoe | getting mixed up in; getting embroiled in; involvement |
| 葉巻 | はまき hamaki | cigar |
| 圧巻 | あっかん akkan | highlight; best part |
| 巻き返し | まきかえし makikaeshi | rally; recovery; comeback |
See also: Chinese symbol for “winding”.
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.