Meaning
The kanji 丙 (BÍNH in Vietnamese, Bǐng in Chinese) might seem to have limited everyday use, which can initially puzzle learners. However, it carries substantial historical and cultural significance, especially within traditional East Asian systems. Essentially, 丙 means "C" or "third." It denotes the third item in a sequence, classification, or ranking, much like "third grade" or "Class C."
Beyond simple enumeration, 丙 is deeply entrenched in the system of the "Heavenly Stems" (十干, jikkan), where it occupies the third position. In this context, 丙 is associated with the element of "Fire" (火, hi) and the "Yang" (兄, e) aspect, meaning "Fire-elder brother." This connection to fire also links it to the direction South and the season Summer in traditional cosmology. While you might not encounter 丙 as a standalone word meaning "fire" in modern Japanese, its historical and philosophical ties to this element are crucial for understanding its depth. It often appears in specialized fields like astrology, divination, and historical records.
With its five strokes, the character 丙 is thought to be a pictograph. It depicts something rising or emerging, perhaps a flame or an object standing upright on a base. This imagery strongly connects to its association with fire and the dynamism of the "Yang" element. Visually, it conveys a sense of ascent and an upward thrust, much like a flickering flame. The stroke count is 5, and for JLPT purposes, it is classified as N1, meaning it is not taught in elementary school grades.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi reading for 丙 comes from its ancient Chinese pronunciation. It is primarily used when the kanji forms part of a compound word, often in more formal or specialized contexts. For 丙, the main On'yomi is ヘイ (hei).
ヘイ (hei) — This is the most common On'yomi reading for 丙. It's typically used when 丙 acts as a classifier or designator for the "third" item in a series, especially in the context of the Heavenly Stems or for general classification.
甲丙 (kōhei) — meaning "A and C" or "first and third." This compound is often used in legal documents or formal classifications, similar to how we might say "parties A and C."
丙種 (heishu) — meaning "Class C" or "third class." This term is used to categorize various items, licenses, or qualifications into tiers, such as a 丙種危険物取扱者 (heishu kikenbutsu toriatsukaisha) for handling specific hazardous materials.
丙級 (heikyū) — meaning "C grade" or "third grade." Similar to 丙種, this is used for grading or ranking, often seen in educational or competitive contexts, like a 丙級資格 (heikyū shikaku) for a C-grade qualification.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi reading is native Japanese and often carries a more direct or traditional meaning. For 丙, the primary Kun'yomi is ひのえ (hinoe), which is used when the kanji stands alone in specific contexts.
ひのえ (hinoe) — This reading is specifically used for 丙 when it refers to the third of the Heavenly Stems. This often occurs in connection with the sexagenary cycle (干支, eto), which combines the Heavenly Stems with the Earthly Branches (十二支, jūni shi). In this traditional system, ひのえ (hinoe) is directly associated with the "Fire Yang" element.
丙 (hinoe) — meaning "the third of the Heavenly Stems" or "Fire-elder brother" in the context of the Heavenly Stems. You'll see this often in historical documents, astrology, or traditional calendar references.
丙午 (hinoe uma) — meaning "the year of the Fire Horse." This is a famous and historically significant combination in the sexagenary cycle, believed to bring specific characteristics to those born in that year.
丙年 (hinoe doshi) — meaning "the year of the Fire Horse" (colloquial variant of 丙午). This phrase directly refers to a specific year in the sexagenary cycle associated with the 丙 (hinoe) element.
Common Words & Compounds
Here are some common words and compounds where you'll encounter the kanji 丙. As an N1 kanji, many of its usages appear in specialized or formal contexts, often related to classification, historical cycles, and traditional systems. Pay close attention to the readings, as both On'yomi (ヘイ) and Kun'yomi (ひのえ) are important.
Classification and Ranking
甲丙 (kōhei) — A and C; first and third. This is frequently used in formal documents, contracts, or academic classifications to denote distinct parties or categories. For example, "Party A and Party C."
丙種 (heishu) — Class C; third class. This is a very practical compound used in various fields for grading or categorization, such as licenses, materials, or types of equipment. For instance, a "Class C driver's license" (丙種運転免許).
丙級 (heikyū) — C grade; third grade. Similar to 丙種, this is used for grading or ranking in examinations, competitions, or quality control. You might see "C-grade quality" (丙級品).
丙型 (heigata) — Type C. While not commonly used for human blood types (which are A, B, O, AB), it can classify other items as a third type or model. For example, a "Type C influenza virus."
Heavenly Stems and Traditional Cycles
丙 (hinoe) — The third of the Heavenly Stems; Fire-elder brother. This standalone term is crucial in understanding traditional East Asian calendars, astrology, and divination, representing a specific point in a cyclical system.
丙午 (hinoe uma) — Year of the Fire Horse. This is a particularly famous and culturally significant term. People born in a 丙午 year (which occurs every 60 years) are traditionally believed to have strong, sometimes volatile, personalities. The most recent was 1966, and the next will be 2026.
丙年 (hinoe doshi) — Year of the Fire Horse (colloquial). This is a more casual way to refer to the 丙午 year.
十干 (jikkan) — Heavenly Stems. 丙 is one of the ten components of this ancient Chinese system, which combines with the Earthly Branches to form the sexagenary cycle.
Historical and Literary Contexts
甲乙丙丁 (kō otsu hei tei) — A, B, C, D; first, second, third, fourth. This sequence is often used in official documents, legal texts, or older literary works to list items or parties in order.
丙夜 (heiya) — Third night. This is an archaic term, mostly found in classical Japanese literature or poetry, referring to the third night of a period, especially after a significant event, such as a traditional ritual.
While 丙 isn't an everyday conversational kanji, its presence is vital in specific domains, highlighting its importance for N1 learners.
Example Sentences
この契約では、甲が貸主、乙が借主、そして丙が保証人となります。
Kono keiyaku de wa, kō ga kashinushi, otsu ga karinushi, soshite hei ga hoshōnin to narimasu.
In this contract, A is the lessor, B is the lessee, and C is the guarantor.
丙午の年に生まれた人は、気性が激しいと言われます。
Hinoe uma no toshi ni umareta hito wa, kishō ga hageshii to iwaremasu.
People born in the Year of the Fire Horse (丙午) are said to have strong temperaments.
この製品は品質の差により、甲種、乙種、丙種に分けられます。
Kono seihin wa hinshitsu no sa ni yori, kōshu, otsushu, heishu ni wakeraremasu.
This product is divided into Class A, Class B, and Class C based on quality differences.
運転免許には、第一種、第二種、そして丙種特殊などの種類があります。
Unten menkyo ni wa, daiisshu, dainishu, soshite heishu tokushu nado no shurui ga arimasu.
Driver's licenses include categories such as Class 1, Class 2, and Class C Special.
伝統的な暦では、丙は五行の「火」に対応します。
Dentōteki na koyomi de wa, hinoe wa gogyō no "hi" ni taiō shimasu.
In traditional calendars, 丙 (hinoe) corresponds to the "Fire" element of the Five Phases.
その事件の参考人は、甲氏、乙氏、丙氏の3名でした。
Sono jiken no sankōnin wa, kō-shi, otsu-shi, hei-shi no san-mei deshita.
The witnesses for that incident were Mr. A, Mr. B, and Mr. C.
彼が生まれた年は偶然にも丙午で、その性格に影響していると考える人もいます。
Kare ga umareta toshi wa gūzen nimo hinoe uma de, sono seikaku ni eikyō shiteiru to kangaeru hito mo imasu.
The year he was born was coincidentally 丙午, and some people believe it influenced his personality.
伝統的な術では、丙の日は火の気が高まると信じられています。
Dentōteki na jutsu de wa, hinoe no hi wa hi no ki ga takamaru to shinjirareteimasu.
In traditional arts, it is believed that on a 丙 (hinoe) day, the energy of fire increases.
Memory Tip
To remember 丙, try a visual approach! Imagine the kanji as a simple, stylized representation of a burning torch or a flame on a stand. The top stroke could be the flame flickering upwards, and the bottom horizontal stroke could be the base of the torch. Since 丙 is the "third" of the Heavenly Stems and strongly associated with the "Fire" element, this image serves as an excellent mnemonic. You could even imagine it as the third torch lit in a ceremony, or perhaps a warning beacon. The upward thrust of the character also mimics the ascending nature of fire. Whenever you see 丙, picture that energetic, upward-reaching flame, reminding you of its "fire" association and its place as the "third" in the ancient cosmic order.