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道Nihongo Path
柄

柄·handle, pattern, build, character

On-yomi
ヘイ
Kun-yomi
がらえ

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
人柄ひとがらpersonal character
家柄いえがらfamily standing, lineage
柄えhandle (of a tool)
横柄おうへいarrogant, overbearing
銘柄めいがらbrand, stock issue

Example sentences

  1. 彼女は人柄がいいので人気がある。

    かのじょはひとがらがいいのでにんきがある。

    She is popular because she has a good character.

  2. 花柄のシャツを買った。

    はながらのしゃつをかった。

    I bought a flower-patterned shirt.

  3. 傘の柄が折れてしまった。

    かさのえがおれてしまった。

    The handle of my umbrella has broken.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 横柄 as よこがら — it is おうへい
  • がら after a noun means 'pattern' or 'the nature of' — 人柄, 家柄, 場所柄

Memory aid

Picture it

木 (wood) beside 丙: the wooden handle you grip. From what a thing is held by comes what a thing is made of — its build, its pattern, its character.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 柄 mean?