壁

• Reading: かべ
• Romaji: kabe
• Kanji breakdown: 壁 (kabe/heki) — wall
• Pronunciation: /ka.be/

Meaning

Wall; partition. A vertical structure that divides or encloses a space.

Used for both interior and exterior walls. Also commonly used figuratively to mean a barrier or obstacle: 言葉の壁 (language barrier), 壁を乗り越える (to overcome a wall/obstacle). In Japanese apartments, thin walls (壁が薄い) are a frequent concern.

Examples

1. 部屋の壁を白く塗りました。 I painted the walls of the room white.
2. このアパートは壁が薄いので音が聞こえる。 The walls of this apartment are thin, so you can hear sounds.
3. 壁に家族の写真を飾っています。 I have family photos displayed on the wall.

Usage Guide

Context: housing, daily life, interior design

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 壁 combines 辟 (a phonetic element) and 土 (earth/soil), reflecting the traditional construction of walls from earthen materials.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal