被: the kanji for suffer; incur
被 is a JLPT N2 kanji that means suffer; incur. Below are its readings, 4 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
被 is written in 10 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
被 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 4 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ヒ (hi)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 被害ひがい · higai | damage; harm |
| 被災ひさい · hisai | being hit by a disaster |
| 被告ひこく · hikoku | defendant |
こうむる (koumuru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 被るこうむる · kōmuru | to suffer (damage); to receive |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 台風で町に大きな被害が出た。Taifū de machi ni ōki na higai ga deta.The typhoon caused great damage to the town.
- 被災した地域に物資を届けた。Hisai shita chiiki ni busshi o todoketa.We delivered supplies to the disaster-hit area.
- 大雨で店は大きな損害を被った。Ōame de mise wa ōki na songai o kōmutta.The shop suffered heavy losses from the heavy rain.
- 被害にあった人の話を聞いた。Higai ni atta hito no hanashi o kiita.I listened to the story of someone who had been harmed.
- 被告は裁判で無罪を主張した。Hikoku wa saiban de muzai o shuchō shita.The defendant claimed innocence at the trial.
Questions about 被
How many strokes does 被 have?
被 is written in 10 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 被?
The on readings are hi (ヒ). The kun readings are koumuru (こうむる).
What JLPT level is 被?
N2. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N2 is designed to match the former Level 2.
More JLPT N2 kanji
Movement and actions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 被
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.