塀
fence, wall, (kokuji)
Readings
On'yomi
- ヘイ
- ベイ
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
塀 centers on a barrier that encloses or divides space: a fence or wall. It is a kokuji created in Japan for this specific structural meaning.
Most common words using 塀
- 塀へいN3
wall
- 土塀どべい
mud wall; earthen wall; plaster wall
- ブロック塀ブロックべい
concrete-block wall
- レンガ塀レンガべい
brick wall
- 万年塀まんねんべい
precast concrete fence
- 塀の中へいのなか
place surrounded by walls; (within) prison
- 塀を巡らすへいをめぐらす
to fence in; to surround with a wall
- 塀越しへいごし
over a wall; crossing a fence
- 板塀いたべい
wooden fence; board fence
- 石塀いしべい
stone wall
- 築地塀ついじべい
mud wall with a roof; roofed mud wall
- 練塀ねりべい
mud and tile wall topped with tiles
- 船板塀ふないたべい
fence made from disused ship planks
- 高塀たかべい
tall fence
Study
Etymology
塀 is a Japanese kokuji combining 土 (earth) with 屏 (barrier, screen) to express an earthen fence or wall. The character was created in Japan and does not have a Chinese origin.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is earth 土, and the right side 屏 suggests a screen or barrier. Picture an earthen screen built up from the ground to form a fence or wall.
Reading mnemonic
For ヘイ, imagine a fence made of hay bales: hay -> ヘイ, and the earth 土 holds the hay barrier 屏 in place.