背

KANJI DETAIL

back

On readingはい

9 strokesN3

Radical 肉 · meat

Stroke order

9 strokes

Japanese readings

On reading: はい
Kun reading: せ, せい, そむく, そむける

Study notes

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

Structure: 背 is read せ, has 9 strokes, and represents the back or height.
Basic usage: 背 is read せ, and 背中 is read せなか.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

背 and 背中
- 背 means height or back.
- 弟は一年で背がずいぶん伸びた。 means “My younger brother grew a lot taller over the course of a year.”
- 背中 means back.
- 坂道を歩いていると背中に汗をかいた。 means “My back got sweaty as I walked up the slope.”