タトゥー
tatū[ta̠tɯ̟ː]
The Japanese word for tattoo is タトゥー (tatū). Wiktionary also lists 刺青 (shisei) and 文身 (irezumi).
Meaning: an image made in the skin with ink and a needle (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| タトゥー | tatū | [ta̠tɯ̟ː] (narrow) |
| 刺青 | shisei | [ɕise̞ː] (narrow) |
| 文身 | irezumi | [bɯ̟̃ɰ̃ɕĩɴ] (narrow) |
The term is used to describe an image made in the skin with ink and a needle.
Which one should you use?
タトゥー is a modern loanword and is the most common way to refer to Western-style tattoos in everyday conversation. In contrast, 刺青 (irezumi) often carries a connotation of traditional Japanese tattooing, which is historically associated with specific cultural art forms or the Yakuza.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the action of getting a tattoo, you can use the phrase タトゥーを入れる.
How do you pronounce it?
tatū
Did you know?
- In Japan, traditional 刺青 were sometimes used as a form of judicial punishment in the Edo period to permanently mark criminals.
- The English word 'tattoo' also has a separate history relating to the Dutch word 'taptoe', which meant to shut the faucets on beer casks.
- Traditional 刺青 often features 'horimono' styles, which are designed to be hidden under clothing so the art is only visible in private.
Examples in context
- 刺青があるの？Do you have a tattoo?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a 刺青.Tatoeba #1538021 by bunbuku, translation #953190 by CK
- トムはタトゥーを入れた。Tom got a tattoo.This sentence is useful for saying someone got a タトゥー.Tatoeba #8400571 by Ninja, translation #1093981 by CK
- かっこいいタトゥーだね。That's a cool-looking tattoo.This sentence is useful for describing a タトゥー as cool.Tatoeba #12817051 by bunbuku, translation #9764364 by CK
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are talking about a new design.
- 美咲 Misakiそのタトゥー、どこで入れたの？Sono tatū, doko de ireta no?Where did you get that tattoo?
- 蓮 Ren海外のスタジオで入れたんだ。Kaigai no sutajio de iretan da.I got it at a studio overseas.
- 美咲 Misakiデザインがすごく個性的だね。Dezain ga sugoku koseiteki da ne.The design is very unique.
- 蓮 Renありがとう。気に入ってるよ。Arigatō. Ki ni itteru yo.Thanks. I really like it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tattoo” translations and entries タトゥー, 刺青, 文身, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries タトゥー, 文身, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
