Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
士 + mouth
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of samurai and mouth. Samurai speaking good words.
Symbolism
Lucky day, fortune, auspicious. Represents good things.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Filled with joy
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
石部金吉
いしべきんきち
man of incorruptible character; man of incorruptible character
黄道吉日
おうどうきちにち
very auspicious day for all types of occasions; very auspicious day for all types of occasions
大安吉日
たいあんきちじつ
very auspicious day for all types of occasions (one of the six special days in the Japanese lunisolar calendar); very auspicious day for all types of occasions (one of the six special days in the Japanese lunisolar calendar)
吉凶禍福
きっきょうかふく
good and bad fortune, and weal and woe; good and bad fortune, and weal and woe
Proverbs & Idioms
吉凶は糾える縄の如し
きっきょうはあざなえるなわのごとし
Fortune and misfortune are like twisted rope
Good and bad luck alternate like strands in a rope
Poetry
朝ぼらけ ありあけの月と 見るまでに 吉野の里に 降れる白雪
Poem #31 from Hyakunin Isshu
み吉野の 山の秋風 さ夜ふけて ふるさと寒く 衣うつなり
Poem #94 from Hyakunin Isshu
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 吉 mean in Japanese?
吉 means good luck, joy, congratulations.
How do you read 吉?
On'yomi: キチ、キツ (KICHI, KITSU). Kun'yomi: よし (yoshi).
How many strokes does 吉 have?
吉 has 6 strokes. Its radical is 口 (mouth).
Is 吉 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 吉 (good luck, joy, congratulations) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
Explore by meaning:kanji for joy · kanji for congratulations