弊 — “Abuse / Evil / Vice / Breakage” in Japanese

Master (高手)へい

Radical ⼶ · radical 55 The building block this kanji is filed under

“Abuse / Evil / Vice / Breakage” in Japanese is 弊, read hei (へい). It is a Jōyō kanji taught in Japanese secondary school (junior & senior high) — the 高手 · Master tier beyond the grade 1–6 Kyōiku set, and appears in words such as 弊害 (harmful effect).

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What does 弊 mean?

Full details, readings & example

Kanji	弊
Meaning	Abuse / Evil / Vice / Breakage
Readings	へい
Grade	Master (高手 · secondary school)
Curriculum	Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2)
Example	弊害 (harmful effect)

How to read 弊

弊 is read hei (へい) depending on the word.

Words with 弊

弊害

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Kanji read the same way as 弊

Same sound, different character — the classic trap. Compare them side by side:

Updated: 2026-08-28