Meaning
The kanji 併 (へい, あわせる) primarily means "to combine," "to merge," or "to join." It can also convey the sense of doing something "concurrently" or "additionally." Essentially, 併 signifies the act of bringing two or more things together, or performing multiple actions at the same time. At its core, it speaks to the idea of co-existence or integration.
Understanding its etymology provides a clear window into its core meaning. The kanji 併 is a semantic-phonetic compound. It combines two main elements: the radical 人 (ひとやね/にんべん - ninben), meaning "person" or "human," on the left. On the right is 并 (ならぶ - narabu; ヘイ - hei). The 并 component, in its original form, depicts two people or objects standing side-by-side, conveying the idea of "lining up" or "together." When the 人 radical is added, it emphasizes an action or state involving people or entities combining, joining, or doing things concurrently. Thus, the visual shape aptly reflects the meaning: a person (人) acting alongside or combining with (并) something else.
This kanji has 10 strokes and is an N1 level kanji, essential for the highest level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. As an N1 kanji, it falls outside the standard Jōyō Kanji (常用漢字) list and does not have an assigned school grade level. This indicates its use is more common in specialized or formal contexts rather than in elementary education.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi, or Chinese-derived readings, are typically used when the kanji appears as part of a compound word, often in more formal or abstract contexts.
- ヘイ (HEI)
This is the primary and most common On'yomi for 併. You'll frequently find it in compounds related to combining, merging, or concurrent actions.
- 併合 (heigō) — annexation; merger; absorption. This refers to the act of one entity or territory being incorporated into another.
- 併用 (heiyō) — concurrent use; using together. It signifies using two or more things simultaneously, whether for the same purpose or different ones.
- 合併 (gappei) — merger; amalgamation; combination. This is a very common term for the formal joining of companies, organizations, or municipalities.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi, or native Japanese readings, are often used when the kanji stands alone as a verb, adjective, or noun, sometimes followed by okurigana (送り仮名 – inflectional endings in hiragana).
- あわせる (awaseru)
This is the primary Kun'yomi for 併. As a transitive verb, it means "to combine," "to join," "to put together," or "to unite." While other kanji like 合 (あう) also carry similar meanings, 併せる can imply a more deliberate or formal act of combining.
- 併せる (awaseru) — to combine; to put together; to join. For example, to combine different functions or elements, or to join forces.
- 兼ね併せる (kaneawaseru) — to combine (qualities, talents); to possess concurrently. It emphasizes possessing multiple abilities or functions simultaneously.
- 併せ持つつ (awase motsu) — to possess both (qualities, characteristics). This phrase highlights having two or more distinct attributes simultaneously.
Common Words & Compounds
Here is a selection of common words and compounds using the kanji 併, categorized for easier understanding:
Business and Administration
- 併合 (heigō) — annexation; merger; absorption.
Example: 領土の併合 (ryōdo no heigō) - territorial annexation.
- 合併 (gappei) — merger; amalgamation; combination.
Example: 会社の合併 (kaisha no gappei) - company merger.
- 兼併 (kenpei) — annexation; combining two things.
Example: 小国を兼併する (shōkoku o kenpei suru) - to annex a small country.
Concurrent Actions and States
- 併用 (heiyō) — concurrent use; using together.
Example: 薬の併用 (kusuri no heiyō) - concurrent use of medicines.
- 併存 (heison) — coexistence.
Example: 異文化の併存 (ibunka no heison) - coexistence of different cultures.
- 併発 (heihatsu) — complication (medical); concurrent occurrence.
Example: 病気の併発 (byōki no heihatsu) - occurrence of complications.
- 併記 (heiki) — writing side-by-side; parallel notation.
Example: 日本語と英語の併記 (nihongo to eigo no heiki) - parallel notation in Japanese and English.
Verbs and General Concepts
- 併せる (awaseru) — to combine; to put together; to join.
Example: 力を併せる (chikara o awaseru) - to combine forces.
- 併設 (heisetsu) — establishment in conjunction with; adjoining establishment.
Example: 図書館に併設されたカフェ (toshokan ni heisetsu sareta kafe) - a cafe attached to the library.
- 併呑 (heidon) — annexation; engulfment.
Example: 弱小国を併呑する (jakushōkoku o heidon suru) - to engulf a small, weak nation.
Example Sentences
この二つの計画を併せて進めましょう。
Kono futatsu no keikaku o awasete susumemashō.
Let's combine these two plans and proceed.
当社は昨年、他社と合併しました。
Tōsha wa sakunen, tasha to gappei shimashita.
Our company merged with another company last year.
これらの薬は併用しないでください。
Korera no kusuri wa heiyō shinaide kudasai.
Please do not use these medicines concurrently.
両国は長年、平和的に併存しています。
Ryōkoku wa naganen, heiwateki ni heison shiteimasu.
The two countries have coexisted peacefully for many years.
新しい図書館にはカフェが併設されています。
Atarashii toshokan ni wa kafe ga heisetsu sareteimasu.
A cafe is attached to the new library.
レポートには日本語と英語が併記されていた。
Repōto ni wa nihongo to eigo ga heiki sareteita.
Japanese and English were written side-by-side in the report.
複数の問題が同時に併発した。
Fukusū no mondai ga dōji ni heihatsu shita.
Multiple problems occurred concurrently.
彼は優れた才能を併せ持っている。
Kare wa sugureta sainō o awase motteiru.
He possesses outstanding talents concurrently (i.e., multiple talents).
Memory Tip
To remember 併, visualize its components: the "person" radical (人) on the left and the phonetic component 并 on the right. 并 itself suggests two things standing "side-by-side" or "together." Imagine a person (人) deciding to stand side-by-side (并) with another, or putting two things together deliberately. This action of bringing things together or existing concurrently is the core meaning of 併. Think of "a person joining things together," or "things existing concurrently with a person's involvement." This mnemonic directly links its visual structure to the concepts of combining, merging, and concurrent existence.