KanjiSchool
被
“Incur / Cover / Veil / Brood Over” in Japanese is 被, read hi, koumu, oo (ひ, こうむ, おお, かぶ). 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 被害 (damage).
Try it now
What does 被 mean?
Learn all 1,018 kanji with spaced-repetition review — free. Start free →
Unlock guided stroke order, scoring and daily streaks. Start free →
Full details, readings & example
| Kanji | 被 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Incur / Cover / Veil / Brood Over |
| Readings | ひ, こうむ, おお, かぶ |
| Grade | Master (高手 · secondary school) |
| Curriculum | Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2) |
| Example | 被害 (damage) |
How to read 被
被 is read hi (ひ) or koumu (こうむ) or oo (おお) or kabu (かぶ) depending on the word.
Words with 被
Learn 被 in real sentences — free
Read stories and news built from only the kanji you already know. KanjiSchool’s path covers all 2,136 Jōyō kanji — 1,018 ready to learn now.
Start free — no credit card →
Kanji read the same way as 被
Same sound, different character — the classic trap. Compare them side by side:
Updated: 2026-08-28