Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
metal + 失
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of metal and lose. Lost metal.
Symbolism
Iron, railway, steel. Represents iron.
Anime & Manga
鉄腕アトム
てつわんあとむ
Astro Boy(1952)
Author: Osamu Tezuka
Japan's first serialized TV anime. 'Iron' symbolizes the protagonist's essence as a robot.
View on Amazon →Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
金城鉄壁
きんじょうてっぺき
impregnable castle (walls); impregnable; invulnerable; impregnable castle (walls)
鉄拳制裁
てっけんせいさい
(punishment by) striking with fists; (punishment by) striking with fists
鉄心石腸
てっしんせきちょう
will of iron; will of iron
磨穿鉄硯
ませんてっけん
showing unyielding diligence in one's studies; wearing a hole through one's metal inkstone from constant studying; showing unyielding diligence in one's studies
Proverbs & Idioms
鉄は熱いうちに打て
てつはあついうちにうて
Strike while the iron is hot
Act while the opportunity lasts
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 鉄 mean in Japanese?
鉄 means iron.
How do you read 鉄?
On'yomi: テツ (TETSU). Kun'yomi: くろがね (kurogane).
How many strokes does 鉄 have?
鉄 has 13 strokes. Its radical is 金 (gold).
Is 鉄 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 鉄 (iron) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
Explore by meaning:kanji for iron