Readings: ヒ (Onyomi), こうむ.る, おお.う (Kunyomi)
Meaning: to be covered; suffer; receive; sustain
The kanji combines 衣 (clothing, garment) and 皮 (skin, hide). It depicts something covered or wrapped, extending its meaning to “to be covered,” “to suffer,” or “to receive.”
View JLPT N2 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 被 has 12 strokes. It starts with the radical 衣 (clothing) on the left, followed by 皮 (skin) on the right. Pay attention to the correct stroke order for both components.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 衣 (ころも) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 12 |
| JLPT Level | N2 |
| Grade | General Use Kanji (Jouyou Kanji) |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ヒ (Hi)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- こうむ.る (kōmu.ru)
- おお.う (ō.u)
Common Words Using 被
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 被害 | ひがい | damage, harm, injury |
| 被災 | ひさい | suffering from a disaster |
| 被写体 | ひしゃたい | photographic subject |
| 被告 | ひこく | defendant, accused |
| 被服 | ひふく | clothing |
| 被疑者 | ひぎしゃ | suspect |
| 被爆 | ひばく | being bombed, exposure to radiation |
| 被選挙権 | ひせんきょけん | eligibility for election |
| 被覆 | ひふく | covering, coating, casing |
| 被雇用者 | ひこようしゃ | employee |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 被る | こうむる | to suffer, to incur, to receive |
| 迷惑を被る | めいわくをこうむる | to suffer inconvenience/trouble |
| 損害を被る | そんがいをこうむる | to incur damage |
| 責任を被る | せきにんをこうむる | to take responsibility for |
| 恩恵を被る | おんけいをこうむる | to receive benefits |
| 被る | かぶる | to put on (a hat); to pour over oneself |
| 帽子を被る | ぼうしをかぶる | to wear a hat |
| 水を被る | みずをかぶる | to get splashed with water |
| 泥を被る | どろをかぶる | to be splashed with mud; to suffer disgrace |
| 頭から水を被る | あたまからみずをかぶる | to be drenched with water from head to toe |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 地震で大きな被害が出た。
Kana: じしんでおおきなひがいがでた。
Romaji: Jishin de ookina higai ga deta.
English: There was extensive damage from the earthquake.
Japanese: 彼は会社の責任を全て被った。
Kana: かれはかいしゃのせきにんをすべてこうむった。
Romaji: Kare wa kaisha no sekinin o subete kōmutta.
English: He took full responsibility for the company.
Japanese: その地域は台風で被災した。
Kana: そのちいきはたいふうでひさいした。
Romaji: Sono chiiki wa taifū de hisai shita.
English: That area suffered from the typhoon.
Japanese: 彼女は美しい帽子を被っていた。
Kana: かのじょはうつくしいぼうしをかぶっていた。
Romaji: Kanojo wa utsukushii bōshi o kabutte ita.
English: She was wearing a beautiful hat.
Japanese: 被写体の顔に光を当てる。
Kana: ひしゃたいのかおにひかりをあてる。
Romaji: Hishatai no kao ni hikari o ateru.
English: Shine a light on the subject’s face.
Japanese: 予期せぬ迷惑を被ってしまった。
Kana: よきせぬめいわくをこうむってしまった。
Romaji: Yoki senu meiwaku o kōmutte shimatta.
English: I ended up suffering unexpected inconvenience.
Japanese: 被告は無罪を主張した。
Kana: ひこくはむざいをしゅちょうした。
Romaji: Hikoku wa muzai o shuchō shita.
English: The defendant pleaded not guilty.
Japanese: 彼の行為で友人たちは泥を被った。
Kana: かれのこういでゆうじんたちはどろをかぶった。
Romaji: Kare no kōi de yūjin-tachi wa doro o kabutta.
English: His actions brought disgrace upon his friends.
Japanese: 被雇用者の権利は法律で保護されている。
Kana: ひこようしゃのけんりはほうりつでほごされている。
Romaji: Hikoyousha no kenri wa hōritsu de hogo sarete iru.
English: The rights of employees are protected by law.
Japanese: 急に水が頭から被さってきた。
Kana: きゅうにみずがあたまからかぶさってきた。
Romaji: Kyū ni mizu ga atama kara kabusatte kita.
English: Suddenly, water poured over my head.
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