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道Nihongo Path
辺

辺·vicinity, side, edge

On-yomi
ヘン
Kun-yomi
あた(り)べ

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

5 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
周辺しゅうへんsurroundings, outskirts
この辺このへんaround here
辺りあたりthe area nearby
海辺うみべseaside

Example sentences

  1. この辺にコンビニはありますか。

    このへんにコンビニはありますか。

    Is there a convenience store around here?

  2. 駅の周辺は店が多い。

    えきのしゅうへんはみせがおおい。

    There are lots of shops around the station.

  3. 子どものころ、夏はよく海辺で遊んだ。

    こどものころ、なつはよくうみべであそんだ。

    As a child I often played by the sea in summer.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading この辺 as このあたり in speech — この辺 is このへん, and あたり is written 辺り
  • Mixing up 周辺 (a stated area's surroundings) with 近く (simply nearby)

Memory aid

Picture it

A road (辶) running past a blade's edge (刀) — the edge of the area you are standing in.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 辺 mean?