彼
彼·he, that
- On-yomi
- ヒ
- Kun-yomi
- かれかの
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 彼 | かれ | he, boyfriend |
| 彼女 | かのじょ | she, girlfriend |
| 彼ら | かれら | they (men, or a mixed group) |
| 彼岸 | ひがん | the equinox week, the far shore |
Example sentences
彼は毎朝公園を走っている。
かれはまいあさこうえんをはしっている。
He runs in the park every morning.
昨日彼女と映画を見に行った。
きのうかのじょとえいがをみにいった。
I went to see a film with my girlfriend yesterday.
彼らの意見は私の考えとは違う。
かれらのいけんはわたしのかんがえとはちがう。
Their opinion differs from what I think.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 彼女 as かれじょ — it is かのじょ
- Using 彼 for 'he' in polite conversation, where the person's name or あの方 is safer
Memory aid
Picture it
The 'going' radical 彳 plus 皮 — pointing off down the road at that person over there: 'him'.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 彼等かれらthey, them (usually male or mixed)
- 彼かれhe, boyfriend
- 彼女かのじょshe, girlfriend
- 彼らかれらthey, them
- 彼方此方あちこちhere and there; all over the place; from place to place
- 彼のあのthat (over there); that well-known; the said
- 彼此あれこれthis and that; one thing and another
- 彼方あちらover there; that one (away from both speakers); that person (polite)
- 彼処あそこ1. (uk) there; over there; that place; 2. (X) (col) genitals
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 2 of 5
What does the kanji 彼 mean?