活
lively · resuscitation · being helped · living
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of water and tongue. Water moistening tongue, living.
Symbolism
Life, activity, vitality. Represents living and moving.
Component Breakdown
water + tongue
Words & Expressions
Words written with 活
Four-Character Compounds
耐乏生活
たいぼうせいかつ
hard life; life of austerity
活殺自在
かっさつじざい
the power of life or death
死中求活
しちゅうきゅうかつ
finding a way out of a potentially fatal situation; seeking a way out of a desperate situation
活溌溌地
かっぱつはっち
being full of vitality (energy); vigorous and in high spirits
明朗快活
めいろうかいかつ
cheerful and openhearted
Proverbs & Idioms
死中に活を求む
しちゅうにかつをもとむ
Seek life in the midst of death
To look for a way out in a desperate situation
Anime & Manga
Re:ゼロから始める異世界生活
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-
A well-known work with 活 in its Japanese title.
七つの大罪 戒めの復活
The Seven Deadly Sins: Revival of the Commandments
A well-known work with 活 in its Japanese title.
仙王的日常生活
The Daily Life of the Immortal King
A well-known work with 活 in its Japanese title.
コードギアス 復活のルルーシュ
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection
A well-known work with 活 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 活 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
“living”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 活 mean in Japanese?
活 means lively, resuscitation, being helped, living.
How do you read 活?
On'yomi: カツ (KATSU). Kun'yomi: い.きる、い.かす、い.ける (ikiru, ikasu, ikeru).
How many strokes does 活 have?
活 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 水 (water).
Is 活 a good kanji for a tattoo?
活 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means lively, resuscitation, being helped, living. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:living