比
比 — Compare
compare, race, ratio, Philippines
On’yomiヒ (hi)
Kun’yomiくらべる (kuraberu)
Stroke order (4 strokes)
Watch the strokes draw themselves in the correct order — numbers mark where each stroke starts. Diagram from KanjiVG (CC BY-SA).
Common words using 比
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 比べる | くらべる kuraberu | to compare; to make a comparison (between); to compete (on) |
| 比例 | ひれい hirei | proportion; proportional representation section (of an election) |
| 比率 | ひりつ hiritsu | ratio; proportion; percentage |
| 比較 | ひかく hikaku | comparison |
| 比重 | ひじゅう hijuu | specific gravity; relative density; relative importance |
| 比べ | くらべ kurabe | contest; comparison; competition |
Study notes
比 is a JLPT N2 kanji written with 4 strokes. It is taught in Japanese elementary school (grade 5), so native children learn it early — a good sign it appears everywhere. Ranked #329 of the 2,500 most frequent kanji in newspapers. On’yomi (音読み) are Chinese-derived readings mostly used in compound words; kun’yomi (訓読み) are native Japanese readings, with any highlighted part written in hiragana after the kanji (okurigana).
🔊 Tap the big kanji, any reading or any example word to hear it.