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What is the Kanji for 'Back' and 'Height'? | 背

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Back' and 'Height', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Back' and 'Height' is 背.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Back, Height

    Reading

    kunyomi

    se

    せい

    sei

    そむ

    somu

    onyomiはい

    hai

    Parts

    North Meat

    Example Word

    背: height. The Japanese noun '背 (せ)' primarily refers to 'height' or 'stature' of a person. It is commonly used to describe how tall someone is. For example: His height is impressive「彼の背は高い」(かれのせはたかい). Additionally, '背' can also refer to the 'back' of a person or an object, though this usage is less common in everyday conversation. For example: She has a straight back「彼女の背はまっすぐだ」(かのじょのせはまっすぐだ). The word is versatile but most frequently used in the context of physical height.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    9

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    6

    Frequency

    429

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    North

    kanji

    Meaning

    Meat

Words Using

This kanji is used in 6 words:

    word

    Meaning

    Height

    word

    背景

    Meaning

    Background

    word

    背中

    Meaning

    Back

    word

    背後

    Meaning

    Behind

    word

    背負う

    Meaning

    Carry

    word

    背広

    Meaning

    Suit

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 20 kanji contain the part 肉 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Remove, Undress

    kanji

    Meaning

    Brain

    kanji

    Meaning

    Entrails, Viscera

    kanji

    Meaning

    Loins, Waist

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bone

    kanji

    Meaning

    Shoulder

    kanji

    Meaning

    Intestine

    kanji

    Meaning

    Liver

    kanji

    Meaning

    Assent, Agreement

    kanji

    Meaning

    Lung

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fat, Grease

    kanji

    Meaning

    Skin

    kanji

    Meaning

    Leg

    kanji

    Meaning

    Womb, Uterus

    kanji

    Meaning

    Limb, Arms & legs

    kanji

    Meaning

    Gallbladder, Guts

    kanji

    Meaning

    Threaten

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rot

    kanji

    Meaning

    Resemble, Resemblance

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stature, Height

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 背 mean?

背 means 'Back' and 'Height'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Sixth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.