タトゥーが入っています
tatū ga haitteimasu
To say "I have a tattoo" in Japanese, use タトゥーが入っています (tatū ga haitteimasu).
This phrase is used to state that a person has a permanent ink design on their body. In Japanese, instead of using the verb "to have", it is standard to use the verb hairu (to enter) to express that a tattoo is present on the body. While you can use the word for tattoo, note that the term 刺青 (irezumi) specifically refers to traditional-style Japanese tattoos.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "a tattoo is entered" or "a tattoo is in [my body]".
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form タトゥーが入っています uses the polite -masu ending, which is suitable for speaking to strangers or in formal social situations. To say the same thing in a casual or informal setting, you can drop the polite suffix and use the dictionary form タトゥーが入っている.
How do you pronounce it?
tatū ga haitteimasu
Did you know?
- Even if you use the polite タトゥーが入っています, many public baths, hot springs, and gyms in Japan may still refuse you entry. The presence of a tattoo often carries a social stigma that overrides formal politeness.
- While タトゥー is a loanword, the traditional word 刺青 is composed of characters meaning 'needle' and 'blue-green'.
- Traditional 刺青 was sometimes used in ancient Japan as a form of penal tattooing to mark criminals, a practice that contributed to the modern negative perception of the phrase.
Examples in context
- 私は刺青（いれずみ）をしています。I have a tattoo
- タトゥーがあるんだよ。I have (one).
- 腕にタトゥーが入っています。Ude ni tatū ga haitte imasu.I have a tattoo on my arm.
- 背中にタトゥーが入っています。Senaka ni tatū ga haitte imasu.I have a tattoo on my back.
- 実は、足にタトゥーが入っています。Jitsu wa, ashi ni tatū ga haitte imasu.Actually, I have a tattoo on my leg.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Kenta are talking about their hobbies.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵さんはタトゥーを入れたいですか？Hiyori-san wa tatū o iretai desu ka?Hiyori, do you want to get a tattoo?
- 陽葵 Himariいいえ、もうタトゥーが入っています。iie, mō tatū ga haitte imasu.No, I already have a tattoo.
- 健太 Kenta本当ですか？どこにあるんですか？hontō desu ka? doko ni aru n desu ka?Really? Where is it?
- 陽葵 Himari肩に小さいタトゥーが入っています。kata ni chiisai tatū ga haitte imasu.I have a small tattoo on my shoulder.
