背 Kanji – stature
The Japanese kanji 背 can mean stature, height, back, behind, disobey, defy, go back on, rebel.
Meaning and Readings
How is 背 read?
背 has the onyomi reading ハイ and the kunyomi readings せ, せい, そむく, そむける.
In romaji, these readings can be written as hai, se, sei, somuku, somukeru.
Common Japanese Words Using 背
These common Japanese words contain 背. Select linked kanji to explore their meanings and readings.
- 猫背（ねこぜ） — bent back, hunchback, stoop
- 背（せい） — height, stature
- 背が高い（せがたかい） — tall (of a person)
- 背く（そむく） — to run counter to, to go against, to disobey, to infringe
- 背泳ぎ（せおよぎ） — backstroke (swimming)
- 背景（はいけい） — background, scenery, backdrop, setting
- 背後（はいご） — back, rear
- 背広（せびろ） — business suit
- 背骨（せぼね） — spine, backbone, spinal column
- 背丈（せたけ） — stature, height