息
breath · respiration · son · interest (on money) · rest · coming to an end
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of self and heart. Breath of own heart.
Symbolism
Breathing, rest, son. Represents breath.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Enjoying a meal
Component Breakdown
自 + heart
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
因循姑息
いんじゅんこそく
dilly-dallying and temporizing (temporising)
気息奄々
きそくえんえん
gasping for breath; at one's last gasp; breathing feebly
無事息災
ぶじそくさい
safe and healthy; health and longevity
放蕩息子
ほうとうむすこ
good-for-nothing son; profligate son
一病息災
いちびょうそくさい
one who experiences a chronic ailment takes better care of his health and lives longer
青息吐息
あおいきといき
deep distress
無病息災
むびょうそくさい
sound health
延命息災
えんめいそくさい
health and longevity; enjoying a long and healthy life being untouched by disaster
息災延命
そくさいえんめい
health and longevity; enjoying a long and healthy life being untouched by disaster
息を呑む
いきをのむ
To hold one's breath; To be astonished
Anime & Manga
放浪息子
Wandering Son
A well-known work with 息 in its Japanese title.
うちの息子はたぶんゲイ
I Think Our Son Is Gay
A well-known work with 息 in its Japanese title.
息子がかわいくて仕方がない魔族の母親
Musuko ga Kawaikute Shikataganai Mazoku no Hahaoya
A well-known work with 息 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 息 mean in Japanese?
息 means breath, respiration, son, interest (on money), rest, coming to an end.
How do you read 息?
On'yomi: ソク (SOKU). Kun'yomi: いき (iki).
How many strokes does 息 have?
息 has 10 strokes. Its radical is 心 (heart).
Is 息 a good kanji for a tattoo?
息 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means breath, respiration, son, interest (on money), rest, coming to an end. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.