incur, cover, veil, brood over, shelter, wear, put on, be exposed (film), receiving
被 centers on something coming over or onto a person: being covered, wearing something, or passively receiving an action or effect. The meanings of incurring, sheltering, and being exposed all flow from this idea of being on the receiving end of an external layer or event.
被 combines 衤 (clothing) with 皮 (skin/hide), suggesting a covering or something worn over the body. The modern form preserves this component relationship clearly.
Clothing 衤 is like a second skin 皮 that covers you. When you wear it, you are sheltered and also exposed to whatever comes your way—like being on the receiving end of events.
For ヒ, picture a person wearing a heavy coat and saying 'Hee!' as they feel the weight of being covered: Hee -> ヒ, and the coat is like a skin of clothing.
(suffering) damage; injury; harm
to put on (one's head); to wear; to have on; to pull over (one's head); to crown (oneself)
suffering (from a disaster); being hit (by an earthquake, typhoon, etc.); falling victim (to)
defendant; the accused
indicates being the subject or receiver of an action, decision, etc.; -ee (e.g. employee, examinee, trustee)
being bombed
headdress; crown; covering; fogging (photography); blushing
being exposed to radiation; radiation exposure
not folding on a stitch but placing the fold (2mm) deeper past the stitch, folding the excess back to cover the stitch
being shot; being bombed
subject (of a medical experiment, etc.); test subject; trial subject; testee
to cover (with something)
(photographic) subject
happi coat; happy coat; workman's livery coat; traditional Japanese straight-sleeved coat
coating; covering
headgear; headdress
suffering (as a result of maltreatment)
to suffer; to receive (kindness, rebuke, support); to sustain (damage)
eligibility for election
clothing