King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “working”

Romaji: unten
operation (of a machine); running; working

In Japanese, working is , read (unten).

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. n, vi, vs operation (of a machine); running; working
  2. n, vs, vt driving (a vehicle)
  3. n, vs, vt use (of capital, funds, etc.); management; investment

Kanji and stroke order

carry, luck, destiny
on: ウン
kun: はこ.ぶ
12 strokes · JLPT 3
revolve, turn around, change
on: テン
kun: ころ.がる、ころ.げる、ころ.がす、ころ.ぶ
11 strokes · JLPT 3

Other Japanese words for “working”

WordReadingMeaning
じっし jisshienforcement; implementation; putting into practice
しゅうろう shuurouworking; being employed; being hired
かいてん kaitenworking (e.g. of one's mind); function
さいくつ saikutsumining; digging; working (a mine)
かどう kadouworking (and earning money); workload; activity

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
うんどう undouexercise; physical training; workout
うんえい un'eimanagement; administration; operation
うんよう un'youmaking use of; application; practical use
うんめい unmeifate; destiny; lot
はこぶ hakobuto carry; to transport; to move
じてんしゃ jitenshabicycle; bike
かいてん kaitenrotation; revolution; turn
いてん itenmoving; relocation; change of address

See also: Chinese symbol for “working”.

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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