Japanese symbol for “wolf”
狼
おおかみ
Romaji: ookami
wolf (Canis lupus)
In Japanese, wolf is 狼, read おおかみ (ookami).
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 wolf (Canis lupus)
- n wolf in sheep's clothing; womanizer
Written forms: 狼. Readings: おおかみ、おおかめ、おいぬ、オオカミ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “wolf”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 食らう | くらう kurau | to eat; to drink; to wolf |
| ウルフ | ウルフ urufu | wolf |
| 真神 | まかみ makami | wolf |
| 豺狼 | さいろう sairou | wolf |
| おおかみ座 | おおかみざ ookamiza | Lupus (constellation); the Wolf |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 一匹狼 | いっぴきおおかみ ippikiookami | lone wolf; loner; self-reliant person |
| 狼狽 | ろうばい roubai | confusion; dismay; consternation |
| 狼煙 | のろし noroshi | beacon; skyrocket; signal fire |
| 餓狼 | がろう garou | hungry wolf |
| 狼藉 | ろうぜき rouzeki | disorder; confusion |
| 狼狽える | うろたえる urotaeru | to be flustered; to lose one's presence of mind |
See also: Chinese symbol for “wolf”.
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.