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Red in Japanese

KatakanaレッドReddo
Kanji礼道Redou

In Japanese, Red is written in katakana as レッド (Reddo), the way Japanese people write foreign names. To write it in kanji, each sound gets a character chosen for its meaning. Our top pick is 礼道 (redou): “courtesy”, “the way”.

How Red sounds in Japanese

レッドEnglish
レドspelled out

Kanji for Red

礼道
redou
  • 礼
    re courtesy
    Respect and good manners; bowing to others.
  • 道
    dou the way
    A road, and in Japan also a lifelong path of mastery, as in 武道 (budo) and 茶道 (tea ceremony).
    The suffix -do (道), meaning "the way," defines Japanese disciplined arts like Chado (tea), Kado (flowers), and Shodo (calligraphy).
礼登
reto
  • 礼
    re courtesy
    Respect and good manners; bowing to others.
  • 登
    to ascent
    To climb higher, step by step, toward the summit.
玲道
redou
  • 玲
    re chime
    The clear ring of jade stones; beauty that sounds.
  • 道
    dou the way
    A road, and in Japan also a lifelong path of mastery, as in 武道 (budo) and 茶道 (tea ceremony).
    The suffix -do (道), meaning "the way," defines Japanese disciplined arts like Chado (tea), Kado (flowers), and Shodo (calligraphy).

By style

Masculine
礼登
courtesy · ascent
Feminine
玲瞳
chime · eyes

Questions about Red in Japanese

How do you write Red in Japanese?

Red is written レッド in katakana. Katakana is the script Japanese people use for foreign names, so this is how Red would appear on a Japanese ID card, a café cup or a name tag. Depending on the origin of the name, it can also be written レド (spelled out).

What are the best kanji for Red?

Our top pick is 礼道 (Redou). 礼 means “courtesy” and 道 means “the way”. Other good options are 礼登 (Reto) and 玲道 (Redou).

Is 礼道 a real Japanese name?

Not as a traditional name. Japanese people write foreign names in katakana, so 礼道 is a creative kanji spelling (called ateji), chosen for its sounds and meanings. Japanese readers will understand what each character means, and many will enjoy the idea behind it.

How many strokes is 礼道?

礼道 has 17 strokes in total (礼: 5, 道: 12). It takes some practice to write neatly, so look up the stroke order before trying it with a brush.

Can I use 礼道 as a tattoo?

Each character in 礼道 has a positive meaning, so it is a reasonable choice. Keep in mind that Japanese people will read it as the meaning of the characters, not instantly as “Red”. If you want your name to be recognized, katakana (レッド) is clearer. Either way, ask a native speaker to check the final design.

Planning a tattoo or a print? Read the kanji tattoo checklist, and check the kanji in the name tool. Not sure which script to use? See katakana or kanji.

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