背

• Reading: せい
• Romaji: sei
• Kanji breakdown: 背 (hai/se/sei) — back, height, stature
• Pronunciation: /seː/

Meaning

Height; stature. How tall a person is.

When read as せい, it specifically refers to a person's height or stature, as in 背が高い (tall) and 背が低い (short). When read as せ, it can also mean 'back' (the body part). Common expressions include 背の順 (in order of height) and 背中 (back of the body).

Examples

1. 弟は背がとても高いです。 My younger brother is very tall.
2. クラスで背の順に並んでください。 Please line up in order of height.
3. 一年で背が五センチ伸びた。 I grew five centimeters taller in one year.

Usage Guide

Context: description, school, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 背 combines 月 (body/flesh radical) and 北 (north/turn away), representing the back side of the body and by extension one's stature.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal