Today we are going to review all Japanese Whatsapp emoji meanings and this way you’ll learn how to use them properly. It seems impossible nowadays to have a conversation on WhatsApp with anyone and not use at least one of the thousands of WhatsApp emojis. And the fact is that these popular icons are used for almost any situation and have been indispensable in everyday communication.
However, although many of them have a quite explicit meaning, many others are not so clear, especially those that refer to other cultures.
For that reason, we want to tell you that you are using them wrong and that must change. So pay attention and know the true meaning of Japanese emojis in WhatsApp.
Japanese Whatsapp emoji meanings
We will explain what is the meaning of each one of these Japanese WhatsApp emojis, so you will be able to use them correctly in the future.
? | Surgical mask: this emoji represents the custom that exists in Japan of using a mask when you have a cold to avoid infecting other people or for people who suffer very strong allergies.
? | Oni: also known as Japanese Ogre, is a typical creature of Japanese folklore that appears during the Setsubun festival and on New Year’s Eve in Akita.
? | Tengu: considered as a Kami and a yokai (supernatural creature) that was originally represented as a combination of human and bird, with a large beak that would later change a large nose, as it is popularly known today.
? | Poop mountain: yes, it really is. This emoji represents the fascination of the Japanese for the “poop”.
? | Dogeza type bow: it is a very formal bow in which the person stands on his knees, while the forehead touches the ground and the hands are placed in front of the head.
? | Dame desu (No way!): when something cannot be or you receive a resounding “no” as an answer, in Japan the arms are crossed in the same way as this emoji.
? | Kimono: it is the traditional costume in Japanese culture and it is usually used nowadays in some special celebrations such as festivals, weddings, among others.
? | Backpack or school bag: called randoseru, it is the traditional backpack of children in Japan when they go to school and have a retro style. In it they carry everything they need for their school day.
Animal and nature themed Japanese emojis
? ? ?| Monkey emojis: surely on more than one occasion you have sent some of the monkey emojis, but did you know that each of these monkeys have an exact meaning? They are Mizaru, Kikazaru and Iwazaru, three wise or mystic monkeys that are found in the Toshogu Shrine of Nikko and mean Do not see, do not hear, do not say. Over time, in Japanese culture it has been explained that their meaning is related to “see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil”. Its origin goes back to the tradition of the Chinese moral code of Santai, a philosophy that was centered on the use of these three senses in order to closely observe all that was observable about the world.
? | Squid: also known as Ika, it is not exclusive to Japan, but it is a very typical product in its gastronomy.
? | Octopus: the Tako as it is usually known, is not exclusive of Japan, however, the way it is represented in the emoji is.
? | Pufferfish: known as Fugu, it is one of the specialties in Japanese gastronomy and its preparation is extremely delicate, to such an extent that it can be deadly. For its preparation, chefs must undergo rigorous training before working with this animal in their dishes.
Dragon: it is one of the animals within the Chinese mythology but has been adapted to the Japanese culture.
? | Kadomatsu: it is a typical New Year’s decoration style used in different presentations, from very simple to large and ornate.
? | Tanabata: also known as star party, it is related to a celebration in which our wishes are handwritten on small pieces of colored and rectangular-shaped paper called tanzaku that are hung on the branches of bamboo trees arranged for the occasion.
? | Red maple leaf: this is typical of red-leaf maple trees in the Japanese autumn.
? | Rice ears: it is the basic and most important cereal within the Japanese diet for millennia.
? | Sakura: represents the blossoms of the cherry tree, as well as being one of the most recognizable images of Japan.
? | Hibiscus: a flower highly appreciated and revered in Japan, as it represented the name of the country, since it was located where the sun was born.
? | Big waves: this emoji takes its inspiration in the engraving or ukiyoe of Hokusai titled The great wave of Kanagawa.
Food and drink themed Japanese emojis
? | Melon: also known as Yubari, it is a type of melon grown in Hokkaido, near Sapporo and owes its popularity to its high cost.
? | Roasted sweet potato: called satsuma-imo, it is an emoji that represents a very popular tuber in the Japanese diet. It is eaten on holidays grilled.
? | Fried breaded shrimp or prawns: also called Ebifurai, it is a popular dish in all kinds of restaurants in Japan.
? | Ramen: although a native Chinese dish, it has been adapted to the Japanese palate and consists of a bowl of noodles in soup with a little soy, miso, pork broth (tonkotsu), accompanied by chashu (pork), egg and other ingredients.
? | Nabe: consists of one of the basic styles of Japanese cuisine, based on the stewing of different ingredients inside a casserole with different broths.
? | Naruto-type Kamaboko: it is a compacted fish paste very popular in the noodle dishes with soup that are served in the popular Naruto saga.
? | Sushi: the most popular dish in Japanese cuisine outside its borders, it consists of cooked rice lightly seasoned with rice vinegar and an ingredient on top, which is often raw fish.
Bento Box: it consists of a box of food usually prepared by women at home and commonly taken by children and workers for their lunch break. Although it can also be purchased at local stores.
Curry rice: a typical dish of the Japanese diet.
Onigiri: consists of a traditional Japanese snack, made of rice stuffed with different ingredients and nori seaweed on the outside.
Rice bowl: it is the quintessential cereal in the Japanese diet and accompanies any dish.
Sembei: they are small rice crackers very popular in Japan and you can buy them anywhere.
?| Oden: it is a typical Japanese winter dish where different ingredients are cooked in a broth based on konbu and dashi and served in a deep dish or on skewers.
? | Dango: it is a sweet made with rice flour that is usually eaten on skewers, dipped in sweet soy sauce and grilled.
? | Kakigori: is a traditional Japanese summer ice cream consisting of crushed ice and syrup on top. It can be said to be like the frappe of the region.
? | Strawberry cake: it is a special and traditional dessert of the Christmas season.
? | Green tea: a traditional Japanese drink that has become popular around the world.
? | Sake: an alcoholic beverage from Japan made from fermented rice.
Activity themed Japanese emojis
? | Martial arts: this emoji is related to any martial art practiced, so there is no distinction between all of them.
? | Monorail: it is a type of high speed train very popular in Japan.
? | Modern Shinkansen: this is a more modern bullet or high-speed train in service in Japan. On iOS it is represented by the 500 series and on Android by the N700 series.
? | Old Shinkansen: following with the previous emoji, they are the previous versions of the popular bullet trains in Japan. In iOS it is represented with the 100 series and in Android with the 0 series.
? | Tokyo Tower: it is a copy of the emblematic Eiffel Tower but painted in red and white color that has a viewpoint to the center of the city and Tokyo Bay.
Japanese castle: different from those commonly known, but they keep a lot of history. Today it is possible to visit some that are still standing after surviving the bombings of World War II or the Meiji Restoration in 1869.
? | Mount Fuji: also known as Fujisan, it is the most famous Japanese mountain and a World Heritage Site since 2013.
? | Post Office: represents Japan’s postal service, which curiously has as its symbol a letter T with a line above it.
? | Convenience store: these are stores open 24 hours that can be found anywhere.
? | Love Hotel: these are hotels with extravagant decorations arranged for intimacy between couples. They are also widely used by friends to enjoy some time between colleagues.
⛩️ | Torii: Entrance to a Shinto shrine.
? | Silhouette of Japan: represents the map of Japan.
? | Tsukimi: also called harvest moon gazing, describes the typical celebration in Japan during the month of September.
Object themed Japanese emojis
? | Minidisc: a rewritable small magneto-optical disc that was very popular in Japan.
? | Yen banknotes: it is the graphical representation of the banknotes that make up the legal tender in Japan.
? | Koinobori: these are flags that are shaped like a tent and are hung in Japan on May 5, for the celebration of kodomo no hi or children’s day.
? | Celebration: it is a Japanese confetti ball commonly used when any celebration is held.
? | Hina Matsuri: also known as girls’ day, it is a festivity that takes place every March 3, where a hinadan or doll altar is decorated.
? | Chōchin: it is the typical lamp found in geisha neighborhoods. It is also common to observe them in izakaya, Japanese taverns and even traditional celebrations.
? | Fūrin: they are wind chimes that are hung in Japanese homes when the rainy season ends to welcome the summer.
Symbol Japanese emojis
?️ | Accept or acceptable: is a Japanese ideogram or kanji meaning acceptable, possible, appropriate or tolerable.
? | Turn off cell phone: widely used in areas near reserved seats on trains and subways where talking or using mobile devices is generally prohibited.
? | Vibration mode on the mobile: similar to the previous emoji, it invites to place the mobile in silence so as not to disturb and bother other people with the sound.
? | Subject to cost: there is existence of something or it is available. Toll, tariff, possession.
? | Does not exist or is not available: it can be the opposite representation of the emoji “Subject to cost” or it is also a Japanese ideogram or kanji that expresses a negation when shown in front of other kanji.
? | Request: for moments when you need to send a statement or request.
? | Open: this emoji shows that an establishment is in business hours.
?️ | Month, moon or monday (abbreviated): it is a kanji that according to the context means month or moon and in its abbreviation expresses monday. It is widely used when a monthly payment is approaching.
White flower: widely used in the Japanese school environment to denote a perfect and admirable work. It is like stamping a “Very well done”.
? | Advantageous or beneficial: ideogram of gain or benefit from something. It is commonly employed in stores or stores when there are special offers and discounts.
㊙️ | Secret: a kanji expressing that it is confidential information.
㊗️ | Congratulations: a kanji or ideogram to celebrate, congratulate or wish good luck to someone or something.
? | Passed: is a Japanese kanji that indicates passing an evaluation, exam or test. Or it is also employed in meetings.
? | Full: is a kanji that explains that something is full or complete. For example in a hotel, this kanji indicates that there is no room for more people.
? | Discount: Kanji that expresses offer, discount or rebate.
? | Forbidden: a kanji of prohibition or restriction – don’t do it, it’s inappropriate!
❌ | Incorrect: also called batsu, indicates that something is incorrect. Sometimes it also represents a kiss.
⭕ | Correct: a symbol named Maru that means correct.
? | Rage or anger: widely used mainly in manga or comics to denote annoyance or anger. It also indicates a punch or simulates the sound “Boom!”.
♨️ | Onsen: used to represent on Japanese maps the existence of hot springs. In a WhatsApp message it can denote that you are going to take a very warm bathtub shower.
? | Rookie behind the wheel: also known as shoshinsha, it is a symbol that is placed on the front and rear of a vehicle for a year when someone has just taken their driving license. It has been popular in Japan since 1972.
Reserved: it is a kanji that indicates a reserved seat or place. Or put another way, it points to a specific place in the region.
? | Kawaii or cute: is a Japanese symbol representing the adjective kawaii, meaning that something is cute, adorable or cuddly.
? | Vacant: ideogram indicating that there are places available.
?️ | Free: ideogram that indicates that something has no price, that is, it is completely free.
? | Here: read koko and used to give a location in Japan.
? | Hanafuda: they are Japanese playing cards composed of a deck of 48 cards with motifs of each floral season. The emoji represents the month of August.
Now that you know the meaning of all the Japanese emojis in WhatsApp, you can use them correctly in your next conversation and surprise your contacts with a bit of Japanese culture.
