noun
Physical wall or partition in a building or room.
部屋の壁に絵をかけた。
I hung a picture on the wall of the room.
この壁は薄くて、隣の音がよく聞こえる。
This wall is thin, so I can often hear the neighbors.
noun
Figurative barrier or obstacle that blocks progress or communication.
言葉の壁を乗り越えるのは大変だ。
Overcoming the language barrier is tough.
両者の間には高い壁がある。
There is a high wall between the two sides.
noun
Chinese "Wall" constellation
Only with reading へき
Astronomy term; one of the 28 mansions in Chinese constellation system, read へき.
二十八宿の一つに「壁」がある。
One of the 28 mansions is 'Wall'.
noun
wall of stones (in Go)
Only with reading かべ
Go term; a solid line of stones forming a wall-like shape.
黒が厚い壁を作った。
Black built a thick wall.
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the intended meaning is clear from context.
The kanji 壁 combines 土 (earth) and 辟 (to split, avoid), suggesting an earthen barrier. The word かべ is native Japanese.