悪
bad · vice · rascal · false · evil · wrong
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of sub (亜) and heart (心). State of distorted heart.
Symbolism
Evil, wicked, bad. '悪' is not always absolute evil - context matters.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Tale of good triumphing over evil
Component Breakdown
top-bottom: 亜 + heart
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
悪因悪果
あくいんあっか
sow evil and reap evil; evil acts bring evil outcomes
悪逆無道
あくぎゃくむどう
treacherous; heinous; treasonous
悪口雑言
あっこうぞうごん
all kinds of malicious gossip; heaping verbal abuse (on); cursing and swearing (words)
悪戦苦闘
あくせんくとう
hard fighting; hard struggle; fighting against heavy odds
勧善懲悪
かんぜんちょうあく
rewarding good and punishing evil; poetic justice
自己嫌悪
じこけんお
self-hatred; self-abhorrence; self-loathing
悪衣悪食
あくいあくしょく
shabby clothes and plain foods
悪事千里
あくじせんり
bad news traveling fast; ill news spreading like wildfire
極悪非道
ごくあくひどう
inhuman; heinous; atrocious
悪逆非道
あくぎゃくひどう
heinous; treacherous; atrocious
悪人正機
あくにんしょうき
The evil persons are the right object of Amida's salvation; The evil persons have the unique opportunity to go to heaven
悪木盗泉
あくぼくとうせん
a virtuous person should not commit an act that offends their moral principles no matter how hard pressed they may be
是非善悪
ぜひぜんあく
rights and wrongs; the relative merits (of a case); propriety
Proverbs & Idioms
悪事千里を走る
あくじせんりをはしる
Bad news travels fast
Rumors of wrongdoing spread quickly
Anime & Manga
私がモテないのはどう考えてもお前らが悪い!
WataMote: No Matter How I Look At It, It's You Guys' Fault I'm Not Popular!
A well-known work with 悪 in its Japanese title.
乙女ゲームの破滅フラグしかない悪役令嬢に転生してしまった…
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!
A well-known work with 悪 in its Japanese title.
ループ7回目の悪役令嬢は、元敵国で自由気ままな花嫁生活を満喫する
7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy!
A well-known work with 悪 in its Japanese title.
悪役令嬢レベル99 ～私は裏ボスですが魔王ではありません～
Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I'm Not the Demon Lord
A well-known work with 悪 in its Japanese title.
悪役令嬢なのでラスボスを飼ってみました
I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss
A well-known work with 悪 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 悪 mean in Japanese?
悪 means bad, vice, rascal, false, evil, wrong.
How do you read 悪?
On'yomi: アク、オ (AKU, O). Kun'yomi: わる.い、わる-、あ.し、にく.い、-にく.い、ああ、いずくに、いずくんぞ、にく.む (warui, waru, ashi, nikui, nikui, aa, izukuni, izukunzo, nikumu).
How many strokes does 悪 have?
悪 has 11 strokes. Its radical is 心 (heart).
Is 悪 a good kanji for a tattoo?
悪 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means bad, vice, rascal, false, evil, wrong. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.