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道Nihongo Path
裏

裏·back, reverse side, behind the scenes

On-yomi
リ
Kun-yomi
うら

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
裏うらback, reverse side
裏口うらぐちback door
裏側うらがわthe other side, back side
表裏ひょうりfront and back, two sides

Example sentences

  1. 紙の裏に名前を書いてください。

    かみのうらになまえをかいてください。

    Please write your name on the back of the paper.

  2. 猫が裏口から入ってきた。

    ねこがうらぐちからはいってきた。

    The cat came in through the back door.

  3. この話には裏がありそうだ。

    このはなしにはうらがありそうだ。

    There seems to be more to this story than meets the eye.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 裏口 as りぐち instead of うらぐち
  • Mixing up 裏 (back) with 表 (front) when labelling a page or a form

Memory aid

Picture it

A village (里) tucked inside a garment (衣 split top and bottom) — the lining, the side nobody sees.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 3 of 5

What does the kanji 裏 mean?