Karate in Japanese
"karate" is written as one word in Japanese. No single kanji carries the meaning on its own.
The characters below are the ones most often used to write "karate" and related ideas.
空View details →
Top pick
empty, sky, void, vacant, vacuum
Reading: kuu
8 strokes · peaceful, nature, mysterious
Where it comes from
Composed of '穴' (hole) and '工' (empty). Empty space like a hole.
What it carries
Sky, void, Buddhist concept of 'emptiness'. Represents infinite possibility.
Related kanji for "karate"
Frequently asked questions
What is the Japanese kanji for karate?
The most common kanji for "karate" is 空, read as kuu. It means empty, sky, void. Related kanji: 手 (karate).
How many strokes does 空 have?
空 has 8 strokes.