活
lively · resuscitation · being helped · living
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
water + tongue
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of water and tongue. Water moistening tongue, living.
Symbolism
Life, activity, vitality. Represents living and moving.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
耐乏生活
たいぼうせいかつ
hard life; life of austerity; hard life
活殺自在
かっさつじざい
the power of life or death; 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; finding a way out of a potentially fatal situation
活溌溌地
かっぱつはっち
being full of vitality (energy); vigorous and in high spirits; being full of vitality (energy)
明朗快活
めいろうかいかつ
cheerful and openhearted; 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
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?
Yes. 活 (lively, resuscitation, being helped, living) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.