斗 in Chinese / Japanese...

斗 is how to express the act of fighting in Chinese.

Generally, this means fighting against someone or some force whether physically or metaphorically.

Note: There is more than one way to write this character. You will notice variations on the next page after you click “Select and Customize.” If you have a preference, please let us know when you place your order.

Please note that there is a secondary pronunciation and meaning of this character. It can also mean “measuring cup” or in Japanese “sake dipper” or even “The Big Dipper.” In Japanese and Korean, this does not have the fighting meaning associated with it. You should, therefore, select this character only if your audience is Chinese, or you are a big fan of sake dippers or The Big Dipper (as that is how it will be read by Japanese and Korean people).

拳闘 is the term used in Japanese Kanji to refer to the original Olympic sport of combat and fighting.

This can also be translated as prizefighting.

The first Kanji means fist. The second means fight. So when literally translated, this means “fistfight” (though understood in Japanese as a more refined sport, versus street fighting).

Note: A completely different second character is used in the Chinese word for boxing but a Chinese person would still be able to guess the meaning of these Kanji.

斗志 literally means fighting spirit in Chinese.

As in the spirit that a warrior, soldier, athlete, or fighter must possess.

Note: There is more than one way to write the first character of this word. It is sometimes written like the version shown to the right (yes, it's completely different but has the same meaning & pronunciation). If you have a preference, please let us know in the special instructions about your order.

北斗七星 is a Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja title for Ursa Major, The Big Dipper, or The Great She-Bear.

You will also see the shorter title of 北斗星, and sometimes just 斗 is used to refer to the dipper when the astrological context is established.

斗龍戰士 or “Dragon Warrior” is specifically one who fights against dragons.

This can also be read as “Dragon Fighter.”

綜合格鬥 is a common Chinese title for “Mixed Martial Arts” or “MMA.”

The characters or words in this title break down this way:
綜合 zōng hé = composite, synthesized, to sum up, to integrate, and/or to synthesize.
格 gé = style, frame, or rule.
斗 dòu = fight, to battle, or to struggle.

This Chinese and Japanese Kanji title means “Way of the Five Pecks of Rice.”

五斗米道 is a Taoist/Daoist movement that later became known as “The Way of the Celestial Masters.”

鬪士 / 闘士 is how to write “fighter” in Chinese and old Korean Hanja.

Chinese: 鬪士 / 闘士 is usually used to mean “fighter” in Chinese. It can also be translated as “warrior” or “activist.”

Korean: 鬪士 / 闘士 means fighter or champion (in terms of a fighter) in Korean Hanja.

Note: The first character can also be written in three alternate ways, as shown to the right. Give us a note if you have a certain preference when you place your order.

上帝的鬥士 means “God's Fighter.”

While a lot of people search for “Warrior of God,” or “Soldier of God,” this is actually the most natural way to say something like this in Chinese.

奮鬥 means strive (as in to put great effort into something or a cause).

It can also be translated as a struggle.

The second character of this word can also be written as shown to the right. Yes. it’s very different. If you want this alternate version, just let us know when you place your order (in the special instructions).

奮闘 is the Japanese version of a word that means strive (as in to put great effort into something or a cause).

It can also be translated as a struggle. There's a very similar version used in Chinese with the same meaning.

This is the title of the Nintendo Dragon Quest series/game in Chinese.

不为五斗米折腰 is a Chinese idiom/proverb that speaks of being above bribes and not losing face or honor for short-term gain.

Some may also translate the perceived meaning as “high-hearted” or “integrity beyond reproach.”

The more literal meaning is “Do not bow down for the sake of five pecks of rice.”