evil / our (humble)
N1- Onyomi
- ヘイ
- Stroke count
- 15
- JLPT
- N1
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 弊 down and you get 敝 (worn / tattered) — a cloth beaten so often its threads have started to fray, and beside it 廾 (two hands) — two hands lifting from below. Picture a cloth hanging from its rail, put 弊 inside it, and let that scene stand for "evil" — evil / our (humble). The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 15
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は15画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 15 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
疲弊
hihei
exhaustion
疲弊する
hiheisuru
to do exhaustion
疲弊した
hiheishita
plain past: did exhaustion
疲弊します
hiheishimasu
polite: do exhaustion
疲弊しない
hiheishinai
plain negative: does not do exhaustion
疲弊中です
hiheichuudesu
in the middle of exhaustion
Example sentences (2)
長時間労働で現場が疲弊しています。
ちょうじかん ろうどう で げんば が ひへい しています。
choujikan roudou de genba ga hihei shiteimasu.
The workforce is exhausted from long hours.
連日の対応が続き、現場は疲弊の極みにあります。
れんじつ の たいおう が つづき、げんば は ひへい の きわみ に あります。
renjitsu no taiou ga tsuzuki, genba wa hihei no kiwami ni arimasu.
With the response dragging on day after day, the front line is utterly exhausted.