Meaning of Japanese Kanji Characters in Emoji

Did you know that Emoji actually comes from Japanese? In Kanji, it is written as 絵(E)文(Mo)字(Ji), which literally can be translated into “Drawn Language Character”. For this reason, there is a heavy Japanese influence deciding over what Emoji would have been created. Kanji is a big part of the Japanese Language and this pictographic language was created more or less for the purpose that Emoji serves today. Thus, there are some useful Kanji characters that were directly transferred into the Emoji language.’

Just started learning Japanese? Head to our main article about the Japanese writing system for a more comprehensive guide on hiragana, katakana and kanji!

Below is a list of all the Kanji Emoji characters whose meanings you may not have known before.

🈶️ 有 ある To have

🈚️ 無 ない To not have

🈸️ 申 もうしこむ An application; To Apply for

🈺️ 営 えいぎょう In-service/ open

🈷️ 月 つき Moon/Month

🉑️ 可 か Permitted/ Doable

🉐️ 得 とくOffers/ merit/ discount

㊙️ 秘 ひみつ Secret

㊗️ 祝 いわう To Celebrate (e.g. festivals, victories)

🈴️ 合 ごうかく To pass a standard (e.g. an exam)

🈹️ 割 わりPrice cut

🈲️ 禁 きんしProhibitted

🈵️ 満 まんしゃ、まんしつ No vacancy

🈳️ 空 うろ Vacant

🈯️ 指 ゆび  To point out/ finger

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