タトゥー

たとぅー
noun
tattoo
See also: 刺青(いれずみ) (traditional Japanese tattoo)
1. tattoo
A permanent design made by inserting ink into the skin. In Japanese, タトゥー specifically refers to Western-style tattoos, as distinct from traditional Japanese 入(い)れ墨(ずみ) (irezumi).
タトゥーを入(い)れた。
I got a tattoo.
腕(うで)にタトゥーが入(はい)っている。
There's a tattoo on my arm.
タトゥーが入(はい)っていると、日本(にほん)の温泉(おんせん)に入(はい)れないことがある。
If you have a tattoo, you may not be allowed to enter Japanese hot springs.

Usage

The collocation タトゥーを入(い)れる (to get/put in a tattoo) is the standard way to say "get a tattoo." タトゥーが入(はい)っている describes the state of having a tattoo.

Common collocations

Cultural note

In Japan, tattoos carry a strong association with yakuza (organized crime), so many public baths, swimming pools, and gyms prohibit entry for tattooed individuals. タトゥー is used for Western-style tattoos and carries a somewhat more neutral or fashionable connotation than the traditional term 入(い)れ墨(ずみ), though the social restrictions apply equally to both.

Related Words

Related: 彫(ほ)り物(もの) (carving)
general
Added 2026.2.22 20:51 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
12500/12833_tatuu