Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of phonetics. Ability to compare.
Symbolism
Ability, possible, Noh drama. Represents ability.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Bustle of the city
Words & Expressions
Words written with 能
Four-Character Compounds
全知全能
ぜんちぜんのう
omniscience and omnipotence
帰巣本能
きそうほんのう
homing instinct
無為無能
むいむのう
idle and incompetent; accomplishing nothing significant nor being capable of doing so; lacking the talent to do anything but idle away one's time
一芸一能
いちげいいちのう
(excelling in) one area or skill; (being skilled or gifted in) one certain area
再起不能
さいきふのう
being beyond recovery; having no hope of recovery
良知良能
りょうちりょうのう
one's innate intelligence and ability
Proverbs & Idioms
能ある鷹は爪を隠す
のうあるたかはつめをかくす
A capable hawk hides its talons
True ability doesn't need to be shown off
Anime & Manga
異世界でチート能力を手にした俺は、現実世界をも無双する ～レベルアップは人生を変えた～
I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in The Real World, Too
A well-known work with 能 in its Japanese title.
無能なナナ
Talentless Nana
A well-known work with 能 in its Japanese title.
異能バトルは日常系のなかで
When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace
A well-known work with 能 in its Japanese title.
聖女の魔力は万能です
The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent
A well-known work with 能 in its Japanese title.
私、能力は平均値でって言ったよね！
Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?!
A well-known work with 能 in its Japanese title.
Related Figures & Stories
伊能忠敬
Name contains 能
Inō Tadataka was a Japanese surveyor and cartographer.
Wikipedia北白川宮能久親王
Name contains 能
Yoshihisa, Prince Kitashirakawa of Japan, was the second head of a collateral branch of the Japanese imperial family.
Wikipedia田能村竹田
Name contains 能
Tanomura Chikuden was an artist and Confucian scholar of Edo period Japan.
Wikipedia大中臣能宣
Name contains 能
Ōnakatomi no Yoshinobu , also Ōnakatomi no Yoshinobu Ason , was a middle Heian period Japanese nobleman and waka poet.
WikipediaOther kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 能 mean in Japanese?
能 means ability, talent, skill, capacity.
How do you read 能?
On'yomi: ノウ (NOU). Kun'yomi: よ.く、あた.う (yoku, atau).
How many strokes does 能 have?
能 has 10 strokes. Its radical is 肉 (meat).
Is 能 a good kanji for a tattoo?
能 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means ability, talent, skill, capacity. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.