Japanese symbol for “winking”
目配せ
めくばせ
Romaji: mekubase
signalling with the eyes; exchanging looks; winking
In Japanese, winking is 目配せ, read めくばせ (mekubase).
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, vi, vs signalling with the eyes; exchanging looks; winking
Written forms: 目配せ、目くばせ、眴、眴せ. Readings: めくばせ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “winking”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 目交ぜ | めまぜ memaze | winking |
| 眴せ | めくわせ mekuwase | signalling with the eyes; exchanging looks; winking |
| 瞬目 | しゅんもく shunmoku | nictitation; winking; palpebration |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 目的 | もくてき mokuteki | purpose; goal; aim |
| 目標 | もくひょう mokuhyou | goal; target; aim |
| 注目 | ちゅうもく chuumoku | notice; attention; observation |
| 項目 | こうもく koumoku | item; heading; category |
| 目撃 | もくげき mokugeki | witnessing; observing; sighting |
| 駄目 | だめ dame | no good; not serving its purpose; useless |
| 心配 | しんぱい shinpai | worry; concern; anxiety |
| 支配 | しはい shihai | rule; domination; control |
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.