Word in Japanese/mythology
Soul in Japanese
Soul translates as 魂 (tamashii). Below is a full breakdown with stroke counts, alternate writings, an example sentence, and tattoo design notes.
What it means
魂 (tamashii, たましい) means soul.
| Kanji | Meaning | Strokes | On'yomi | Kun'yomi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 魂 | soul, spirit | 14 | kon | tamashii |
Alternate writings
Japanese often offers more than one valid kanji for a concept. The alternates below carry slightly different nuance — read them carefully before choosing.
soul or spirit in a religious or supernatural sense
Compounds and related words
Common Japanese vocabulary built around this kanji.
| Word | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 魂魄 | konpaku | soul and spirit (literary) |
| 大和魂 | yamato-damashii | Japanese spirit |
| 霊魂 | reikon | soul, ghost |
Example sentence
彼の魂は強かった。
Kare no tamashii wa tsuyokatta.
His soul was strong.
Tattoo design notes
魂 is a single kanji and the standard choice for soul. The right side contains 鬼 (ghost, demon), reflecting the original meaning of a spirit that survives the body. The character is visually substantial at 14 strokes. The famous compound 大和魂 (yamato-damashii, Japanese spirit) is a popular cultural alternative for those wanting a national-spirit theme.
Cultural notes
Japanese tradition distinguishes 魂 (the soul that returns to heaven after death) from 魄 (the bodily spirit that stays with the corpse). 大和魂 came to mean the Japanese national character or fighting spirit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say soul in Japanese?
Soul in Japanese is 魂, romanised as tamashii and written in hiragana as たましい. Japanese tradition distinguishes 魂 (the soul that returns to heaven after death) from 魄 (the bodily spirit that stays with the corpse). 大和魂 came to mean the Japanese national character or fighting spirit.
What does the kanji 魂 mean?
魂 means "soul, spirit" (14 strokes; on'yomi: kon; kun'yomi: tamashii). Together the word reads as tamashii.
What is the difference between 魂 and 霊魂?
魂 (tamashii) is the standard form: Japanese tradition distinguishes 魂 (the soul that returns to heaven after death) from 魄 (the bodily spirit that stays with the corpse). 大和魂 came to mean the Japanese national character or fighting spirit.. 霊魂 (reikon) is different — soul or spirit in a religious or supernatural sense. Pick based on the exact nuance you want to convey.
Is 魂 a good kanji for a tattoo?
魂 is a single kanji and the standard choice for soul. The right side contains 鬼 (ghost, demon), reflecting the original meaning of a spirit that survives the body. The character is visually substantial at 14 strokes. The famous compound 大和魂 (yamato-damashii, Japanese spirit) is a popular cultural alternative for those wanting a national-spirit theme.
How do you write soul in hiragana?
In hiragana, soul is written as たましい, which represents the sound tamashii. The kanji form 魂 is used in everyday writing; hiragana is used when the kanji is too difficult, for emphasis, or in children's text.
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