Kanji-root

rhux1 · 4 Oct 2007

I realise most of these questions come from seemingly-naive types but before you judge me, I ask you to hear me out:

I am originally Japanese but was adopted. As such I would very much like a kanji tattoo meaning 'root' or 'rooted in love'.

I would ever so grateful for a translation. For some reason, my computer shows most of the Japanese on here as question marks so if someone could attach an image I really would be so, so thankful.

Thank you

JimmySeal · 4 Oct 2007

rhux1 said:
I am originally Japanese but was adopted. As such I would very much like a kanji tattoo meaning 'root' or 'rooted in love'.

This makes you seem awfully naive.

Here is the kanji for root:
http://zhongwen.com/d/174/d218.htm

bakaKanadajin · 4 Oct 2007

Naive for wanting to celebrate his heritage and family?

I'm not a fan of people getting Kanji tattoos either but he's certainly got a legitimate reason and what seems to be a thoughtful approach to it. Better than some pro sports playing meathead getting 'strength' tattooed incorrectly on his arm or something.

epigene · 4 Oct 2007

It is still naive, as JimmySeal says.

I understand the OP's intentions, but the kanji for root is "root, as of a plant" and is not associated with lineage by blood. The association of "root" with "family tree" in English (European maybe?) conceptualization. In Japanese, "root" is associated with persistence or perseverance. So, if you have the kanji on your skin, no Japanese will be able to figure out what you intended it to be--probably thinking that you are a person who doesn't give up.

Likewise, "rooted in love" cannot be expressed simply and concisely. It will become a long phrase that doesn't look good as a tattoo.

If you want it in just a couple of kanji characters, I think you need a creative copywriter. Another alternative is having it expressed in Chinese??

bakaKanadajin · 4 Oct 2007

Well obviously if he just wants to stick 'root' and 'love' together it'd be silly. You get no disagreement from me there. I just meant, I felt his intentions were a little more valiant than the usual offering of Hollywood kanji tattoo recipients I see these days. I, too, would advise him to look into what natural Japanese expressions communicate the same idea (strong family love or whatever) vs. what the literal translation of the English 'rooted in love' would be if he were to try and do something meaningful.

JimmySeal · 4 Oct 2007

bakaKanadajin said:
Naive for wanting to celebrate his heritage and family?

She's naive for thinking "root" functions exactly the same way in Japanese as it does in English.
And it would be ironic to celebrate one's Japanese heritage with a kanji tattoo, as Japanese do not typically wear tattoos, let alone ones in kanji. It would be essentially the same as me getting the Colosseum tattooed on my arm (I'm half Italian), except that the Colosseum would not be quite as trendy.

If one really wanted to celebrate their Japanese heritage with a tattoo, I'd think they could come up with something more original than a kanji tattoo.

dark_secrester · 7 Oct 2007

I don't agree there Jimmy, calling her naive for wanting 'root'. She isn't thinking of a plant root, nor are you and nor am I. the OP will have to look for a Japanese translation, or she could use the term 'Japanese blood', which, if I am right, would be three symbols, which shouldn't look that bad.

Also, if she is definitely wanting it, I doubt that it is a long phrase would deter her. The action of wanting to express her roots in tattoo format doesn't necessarily mean she wants a beautiful tattoo, just that she wants one.

I say to the OP 'go for it'.

pipokun · 8 Oct 2007

故郷

This is the word, one's birthplace, and people with the Kanji culture, Chinese, Japanese, Taiwanese or whoever can understand it.
We call it as Kokyo or Furusato, but when you pronounce the latter as Furusato, the word turns to be extremely nostalgic for Japanese.

If you are a courageous guy enough to have 20 characters on your body, there is a nice poem which the great Chinese poem giant, Li Bai or Li Po, wrote.

orochi · 8 Oct 2007

I have no problems with any girl who needs a good root.

Kanji-root

rhux1

後輩

JimmySeal

Tubthumper

bakaKanadajin

先輩

epigene

相変わらず不束者です

bakaKanadajin

先輩

JimmySeal

Tubthumper

dark_secrester

Guest

pipokun

先輩

orochi

便利屋

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