Japanese word

壁

Pronunciation

Romajikabe

Meaning

  • nounwall

Example

この壁は白いです。ko no kabe wa shiro i de su

This wall is white.

Illustration for 壁 (wall)

More examples

部屋の壁に絵を飾ります。heya no kabe ni e o kaza ri ma su

I decorate the wall with a picture.

子どもが部屋の壁に絵を飾りました。ko do mo ga heya no kabe ni e o kaza ri ma shi ta

The child decorated the wall of the room with pictures.

Core concept

Forms a physical boundary that divides or encloses a space and can also serve as a fixed partition.

Common phrases

  • 壁を作るkabe o tsuku ru

    build a wall

  • 壁に沿ってkabe ni so tte

    along the wall

Similar words

塀hei: A structure built around land or a property, usually outdoors.
間仕切りmajikiri: A movable or fixed structure that separates parts of an indoor space.

Definition in Japanese

空間を二つに分けたり、外部から隔てたりする、建物などの仕切り。kū kan o futa tsu ni wa ke ta ri gai bu ka ra heda te ta ri su ru tate mono na do no shi ki ri

Word origin

壁 (kabe, "wall") is a native Japanese word with an uncertain deeper origin, while the kanji 壁 (heki, "wall") expresses its basic meaning.

Usage tips

  • In room descriptions, 壁 (kabe, "wall") usually means a fixed surface, while a partition can divide a room without being part of its outer structure.

Other meanings

  • partitionnoun

Word lists with this word