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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

    背

    Meaning

    Back, Height

    Reading

    kunyomiせ

    se

    せい

    sei

    そむ

    somu

    onyomiはい

    hai

    Parts

    肉Meat 北North

    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

    肉

    Stroke Count

    9

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    6

    Frequency

    429

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 背

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

    kanji

    肉

    Meaning

    Meat

    kanji

    北

    Meaning

    North

Words Using 背

This kanji is used in 6 words:

    word

    背中

    Meaning

    Back

    word

    背景

    Meaning

    Background

    word

    背

    Meaning

    Height

    word

    背後

    Meaning

    Behind

    word

    背広

    Meaning

    Suit

    word

    背負う

    Meaning

    Carry

Kanji Related to 背 Through the Part 肉

These 20 kanji contain the part 肉 as well.

    kanji

    脱

    Meaning

    Remove, Undress

    kanji

    骨

    Meaning

    Bone

    kanji

    脅

    Meaning

    Threaten

    kanji

    肩

    Meaning

    Shoulder

    kanji

    胆

    Meaning

    Gallbladder, Guts

    kanji

    肝

    Meaning

    Liver

    kanji

    腰

    Meaning

    Loins, Waist

    kanji

    肖

    Meaning

    Resemble, Resemblance

    kanji

    脂

    Meaning

    Fat, Grease

    kanji

    胎

    Meaning

    Womb, Uterus

    kanji

    脊

    Meaning

    Stature, Height

    kanji

    脚

    Meaning

    Leg

    kanji

    臓

    Meaning

    Entrails, Viscera

    kanji

    腸

    Meaning

    Intestine

    kanji

    腐

    Meaning

    Rot

    kanji

    肺

    Meaning

    Lung

    kanji

    肌

    Meaning

    Skin

    kanji

    肢

    Meaning

    Limb, Arms & legs

    kanji

    肯

    Meaning

    Assent, Agreement

    kanji

    脳

    Meaning

    Brain

Learn the Kanji 背

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.