261
被
Suffer, Receive, Wear
こうむ (る), かぶ (る)
JLPT N2
Interesting Fact
The kanji 被 is very common in news reports. Words like 被害 (damage), 被災 (disaster victim), and 被告 (defendant) frequently appear in newspapers and television broadcasts.
Memory Trick
Imagine someone wearing a helmet while suffering through a heavy storm. The idea of being 'affected by' something helps you remember 被 means 'to suffer' or 'to receive.'
Readings
Onyomi: ヒ (hi)
Kunyomi: こうむ (る), かぶ (る)
Example Words
被害
ひがい (higai)
Damage
被災
ひさい (hisai)
Being affected by a disaster
被告
ひこく (hikoku)
Defendant
被る
かぶる (kaburu)
To wear (on the head)
Example Sentence
台風 で 大きな 被害 が 出ました。
たいふう で おおきな ひがい が でました。
taifuu de ookina higai ga demashita
The typhoon caused major damage.