被る

• Reading: かぶる
• Romaji: kaburu
• Kanji breakdown: 被 (hi/kabu) — to wear on head, to cover, to suffer
• Pronunciation: /ka.bɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To put on (head); to wear (a hat, cap); to pull over one's head.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated with the る ending (被って, 被った, 被ります). Specifically for items worn on the head: hats, caps, helmets, masks. Part of the clothing verb set: 着る (upper body), 履く (lower body/feet), 被る (head). Also means 'to suffer' or 'to be covered by' in other contexts.

Examples

1. 外に出るとき帽子を被ります。 I wear a hat when I go outside.
2. ヘルメットを被ってください。 Please put on a helmet.
3. 今日は何も被っていません。 I'm not wearing anything on my head today.

Usage Guide

Context: clothing, daily life, safety

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 被 combines 衤 (clothing radical) with 皮 (skin/covering), conveying the idea of covering oneself. The dual meanings of wearing on the head and being covered or affected both stem from this covering concept.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal