How to Use the 🥷 Ninja Emoji: Get Stealthy with Your Texts & DMs

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Top secret ways to text confidential information or show your love of ninja movies
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If your favorite cartoon is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, you’ve probably used the 🥷 (ninja) emoji quite a bit. But did you know it can mean more than just a literal ninja? We’ve put together a fun guide to all things ninja emoji, including all of its possible meanings and the best ways to use and respond to it in text or on social media. Keep on scrolling—unlike your 🥷 (ninja) emoji text messages, this information isn’t secret!

Things You Should Know

  • The 🥷 (ninja) emoji can refer to literal ninjas, ninja-themed media, or sneaky, stealthy activities and secrets.
  • Use 🥷 (ninja) to show that you admire ninja history and animation or to highlight that your messages are top secret and not meant to be shared.
  • Acknowledge that you understand your friend’s message is secret if they send you 🥷 (ninja).
  • Combine 🥷 (ninja) with other sneaky emojis like 💨 (dashing away) or 🤫 (shushing face) to illustrate your stealthy moves or confidential secrets.
Section 1 of 5:

🥷 (Ninja) Emoji Meanings

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  1. Step 1 The 🥷 (ninja) emoji refers to an actual ninja.
    Ninjas were covert spies and mercenaries in feudal Japan in the 15th century AD that were trained in a fighting discipline called Ninjutsu.[1] Today, they are popularized in movies and games as stealthy fighters who are notoriously difficult to see, catch, or track down. A lot of times, people use 🥷 (ninja) to refer to a literal ninja (real or fictional).[2]
    • “I’m writing my thesis on the training methods of ninjas in the late 16th century 🥷”
    • “The ninja exhibit at the history museum is so cool! 🥷”
  2. Step 2 People use the 🥷 (ninja) emoji to refer to ninja-themed movies or games.
    Whether it’s a nostalgic reference to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or someone’s favorite ninja-themed video game, the 🥷 (ninja) emoji appears in references to film, TV, games, or other animated or fictional tales fairly often. Most likely, the sender will include the name or title of what they’re talking about.[3]
    • “I’m thinking about making a Ninja Turtle mask for Halloween 🥷🐢”
    • “I still play Mark of the Ninja sometimes when I get bored 🥷 🎮”
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  3. Step 3 A 🥷 (ninja) emoji could mean someone’s being sneaky or stealthy.
    Just like actual ninjas, a person might send this emoji to show they’re trying to be secretive or show that the information they’re sharing is confidential. If someone sends a 🥷 (ninja) with their message, it’s a good idea to keep your lips sealed![4]
    • “I’ll be gone before they even notice 🥷💨”
    • “Don’t tell anyone that I’m coming to Jen’s party. It’s a surprise! 🎉🥷”
  4. Step 4 Some people use 🥷 (ninja) to show they’re really good at something.
    You’ve probably heard something like “I’m a poker ninja” in conversation before, and it shows up in text and social media, too. However, this usage is sometimes seen as cultural appropriation—other terms like whiz, boss, or pro get the same meaning across without the risk of offending anyone.[5]
    • “I’ll have those numbers crunched by tomorrow. I’m a spreadsheet ninja! 🥷” OR
      “I’ll have those numbers crunched by tomorrow. I’m a spreadsheet pro! ✅”
    • “I love baking, I’m a pie ninja 🥷” OR
      “I love baking, I’m a pie whiz ✨🥧”
  5. Step 5 Unfortunately, 🥷 (ninja) is sometimes used in place of a racial slur.
    In some dark circles of the internet, the ninja is used as a substitute for a derogatory term for Black people.[6] This could occur in private text messages or on social media as a way to work around moderators looking for hate speech. If you see a 🥷 (ninja) in any context that’s not explicitly about actual ninjas or stealthy activities, do not engage.[7]
    • If a message or post seems disparaging toward an individual or a group of people, consider reporting the post and blocking the user.
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Section 2 of 5:

Using 🥷 (Ninja)

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  1. Step 1 Reference actual ninjas or ninja-themed media with 🥷 (ninja).
    Want to show love for your favorite ninja animation? Throw in a 🥷 (ninja) and gush all about it! In this case, it’ll be super clear you’re talking about literal ninjas in an appreciative, fun way.
    • “They’re not great movies, but I just have a soft spot for the American Ninja series lol 🥷”
    • “When I was a kid I wanted to be a ninja so bad! 🥷⚔️ Turns out I’m more suited for data entry 🤷🏼‍♀️”
  2. Step 2 Use 🥷 (ninja) to show your text or DM is top secret.
    If your text is for one person’s eyes only, make sure they know not to share a screenshot or show a friend with the ninja emoji. Mention in words that it’s top secret as well, just to be extra sure that your friend doesn’t spread the top secret information.
    • “I’ve got something important to tell you, but it’s a secret 🥷🤫”
    • “Can I trust you not to tell Dean that I know he likes me? Promise!? 🥷🥺”
  3. Step 3 Feeling sneaky? Send 🥷 (ninja) when you’re operating in stealth mode.
    Use it to illustrate how you’re planning to do something secretive or go somewhere you don’t want to be seen. It works the other way, too—use 🥷 (ninja) when someone sneaks up on you or something happens that you never saw coming.
    • “My parents won’t let me go to the Carly Rae Jepson concert…guess I’ll have to sneak out! 🥷🏠”
    • “I can’t believe I got pickpocketed! I didn’t even see the person that did it 🥷😧”
  4. Step 4 Use 🥷 (ninja) to talk about actual ninjas or sneaky activities only.
    This is the best way to make sure the meaning of your message isn’t misunderstood and doesn’t come off as offensive or derogatory. If you’re not sure whether the 🥷 (ninja) emoji will work in your message, leave it out or try a different emoji.
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Section 3 of 5:

Replying to 🥷 (Ninja)

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  1. Step 1 Reply with opinions or questions about ninja-themed media or history.
    Match someone’s enthusiasm about their favorite ninja TV shows if you’ve seen or enjoyed them, or ask what they’re about if you have no idea what your friend is talking about. Ninja history is fascinating, so take this as an opportunity to learn!
    • Them: “Do you want to watch Ninja Batman tonight? 🥷🦇?”
      You: “...I had no idea that was a thing 😮”
    • Them: “There’s a cool Japanese exhibit at the museum with authentic ninja uniforms. I’ve always wanted to learn how to make a ninja costume! 🥷”
      You: “LET’S 👏🏽 GO 👏🏽”
  2. Step 2 Let your friends know their secrets are safe with you.
    If someone uses 🥷 (ninja) to show they’re confiding in you or that they’re up to something sneaky, reassure them with words or emojis like 😉 (winking face) or 👍 (thumbs up). They’ll be happy to know they can rely on you!
    • Them: “This is top secret, OK? 🥷”
      You: “Gotcha 👍”
    • Them: “If anyone asks, I was never here 🥷”
      You: “Never where? 😉”
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Section 4 of 5:

🥷 (Ninja) Emoji Combos

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  1. Combine 🥷 (ninja) with other stealthy emojis to illustrate your message.
    Add fun emojis like 😉 (winking face), 💨 (dashing away), or 🤫 (shushing face) to bring your text or DM to life. You might be able to get away with the emojis alone, but you can always add a few short words or a followup message to clear things up if the recipient isn’t sure what you mean.
    • 🥷💨 = “I’m sneaking out of here”
    • 🥷😉 = “I was never here, if you know what I mean”
    • 🥷🤫 = “Don’t tell anyone” or “It’s a secret”
    • 🥷🏢 = “I’m sneaking away from work early”
    • 🥷👻 = “You can’t catch me, I’m going ghost mode”
Section 5 of 5:

Emojis Related to the 🥷 (Ninja) Emoji

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  1. The 🥷 emoji is related to other sneaky emojis. Check out these other emojis and what they mean to add a stealthy and secretive vibe to your messages:
    • The 🤫 (shushing face) emoji symbolizes quiet, silence, and secrecy.
    • The 💨 (dashing away) emoji refers to running away or disappearing without a sight.
    • The 🥋 (martial arts uniform) emoji represents all kinds of martial arts disciplines, like karate or taekwondo.
    • The ⚔️ (crossed swords) emoji symbolizes fighting or war.
    • The 🕵️ (detective) emoji represents sleuthing, investigating, or secrecy.
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Tips

  • On some platforms, you might see a shuriken emoji. A shuriken is a small, hidden blade used by traditional ninjas for stealthy attacks. It can look like a “ninja star” or be shaped more like a small dagger.
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Warnings

  • Make sure your message makes it clear you’re using the 🥷 (ninja) emoji to talk about respectfully about ninjas, ninja-themed film, TV, or games, or stealth activities. In other contexts, it may be interpreted as cultural appropriation or a derogatory racial slur.
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.iganinja.jp/en/about/ninja.html
  2. ↑ https://www.unicode.org/L2/L2018/18197-ninja-emoji.pdf
  3. ↑ https://www.emojiall.com/en/emoji/%F0%9F%A5%B7
  4. ↑ https://www.vice.com/en/article/emoji-13-how-to-use/
  5. ↑ https://www.thesaurus.com/e/ways-to-say/stop-using-in-2020/
  6. ↑ https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=%F0%9F%A5%B7
  7. ↑ https://www.cyberdefinitions.com/definitions/NINJA.html

About This Article

John Keegan
Reviewed by:
John Keegan
Dating Coach
This article was reviewed by John Keegan and by wikiHow staff writer, Dan Hickey. John Keegan is a Dating Coach and motivational speaker based in New York City. With over 10 years of professional experience, he runs The Awakened Lifestyle, where he uses his expertise in dating, attraction, and social dynamics to help people find love. He teaches and holds dating workshops internationally, from Los Angeles to London and from Rio de Janeiro to Prague. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Humans of New York, and Men's Health. This article has been viewed 42,712 times.
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Updated: November 23, 2024
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Categories: Emoticons and Emojis
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