Meaning
The kanji 陪 (bai) is an N1-level character, primarily signifying "to accompany," "to attend," "to wait upon," or "to be next to." Its fundamental meaning revolves around the concept of being alongside or in the presence of another, often in a supportive, subordinate, or formal capacity. Because of its specialized usage, this character is not typically found in elementary or secondary school curricula. Its N1 classification indicates its appearance in more advanced contexts, especially in legal, historical, or formal social settings.
The character 陪 is a semantic-phonetic compound, composed of two main components. On the left is the radical 阜 (こざとへん). Historically, this radical represented a "hill" or "mound." More broadly, it functions as a semantic component related to territory, locale, or the presence of people in a geographical context. On the right is the phonetic component 咅 (ほう), which provides the on'yomi "bai" and contributes to the character's meaning by suggesting "large," "numerous," or "to gather."
Combining these components, the visual shape suggests people gathering or standing "next to" or "accompanying" someone or something important. The radical 阜 implies human habitation or a specific location, while 咅 hints at a larger group. Together, they evoke the sense of attendance or being alongside in a formal or supplementary role. The character has 10 strokes. It is not assigned a specific grade level within the Japanese education system. However, its specialized usage in formal and academic contexts means it appears at the N1 level of the JLPT.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The kanji 陪 primarily uses a single on'yomi reading, derived from Chinese. This reading is key for understanding its role in formal and technical vocabulary, especially when referring to attendance, accompaniment, or a secondary role in compound words.
バイ (BAI)
バイ is the most common and almost exclusive on'yomi for 陪. When 陪 forms part of a larger compound, バイ contributes its meaning of "accompanying" or "attending" to the overall word. You'll often find it in legal, governmental, or historical contexts, defining specific roles of attendance or support.
陪審 (baishin) — This term refers to a jury (陪審) or a lay assessor system. It's particularly used in legal contexts, such as a jury system where citizens accompany judges to hear cases and render verdicts.
陪席 (baiseki) — Meaning 'sitting in attendance' or 'attending a meeting', 陪席 often implies a subordinate or observing role in a formal setting. For example, an associate judge might sit alongside a chief judge.
陪食 (baishoku) — This refers to dining with a superior or a person of high rank. It highlights the aspect of accompanying someone in a formal meal setting.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Unlike many kanji, 陪 lacks commonly established or independently used kun'yomi readings. This means the kanji itself is rarely, if ever, used alone as a native Japanese word. Its meaning is almost exclusively expressed through on'yomi compounds. Alternatively, native Japanese verbs and phrases like 供する (kyōsuru - to accompany, to serve), 侍る (haberu - to attend, to wait upon, especially a noble), or 付き添う (tsukisō - to accompany, to attend on) convey similar concepts. This absence of a kun'yomi highlights 陪's specialized role in formal, Sino-Japanese vocabulary, rather than as an everyday Japanese concept.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 陪 appears in many compound words, especially in legal, administrative, and historical Japanese. These compounds all convey 陪's core meaning of accompanying, attending, or holding a secondary position.
Legal & Judicial Contexts:
陪審員 (baishinin) — A juror; a member of a jury, someone who accompanies the court in deliberating a case.
陪審制度 (baishin seido) — The jury system; the legal framework involving jurors.
陪席裁判官 (baiseki saibankan) — An associate judge; a judge who sits in attendance with a presiding judge.
Formal Attendance & Service:
陪席 (baiseki) — Sitting in attendance; accompanying someone in a formal meeting or gathering.
陪食 (baishoku) — Dining with a superior or someone of higher status, implying a formal accompaniment during a meal.
陪従 (baijū) — Accompanying or following, often in the context of a subordinate accompanying a superior, or a retinue.
陪観 (baikan) — Observing or watching from a position of attendance, often implying a formal observation rather than active participation.
陪聴 (baichō) — Listening in attendance; observing by listening, usually in a formal capacity like attending a lecture or a court session as an observer.
Historical & Social Hierarchies:
陪臣 (baishin) — A sub-vassal; a vassal of a vassal. In feudal Japan, this referred to a retainer who served another retainer, rather than directly serving the shogun or daimyo, thus being in a secondary, accompanying loyalty role.
陪堂 (baidō) — An attendant or servant, particularly in historical contexts, signifying someone who accompanies and serves a master.
General Usage:
陪席者 (baiseki-sha) — An attendee; a person who is present at a meeting or event in an observing or accompanying capacity.
Example Sentences
裁判には陪審員が必要です。
Saiban ni wa baishinin ga hitsuyō desu.
Jurors are necessary for trials.
彼は会議に陪席しただけで、発言はしなかった。
Kare wa kaigi ni baiseki shita dake de, hatsugen wa shinakatta.
He only sat in attendance at the meeting and did not speak.
国王と陪食する栄誉を賜った。
Kokuō to baishoku suru eiyo o tamawatta.
I was granted the honor of dining with the king.
弁護士は依頼人に陪従して裁判所へ向った。
Bengoshi wa irainin ni baijū shite saibansho e mukatta.
The lawyer accompanied his client to the courthouse.
歴史的な儀式に陪観することができたのは、貴重な経験でした。
Rekishiteki na gishiki ni baikan suru koto ga dekita no wa, kichō na keiken deshita.
Being able to observe the historical ceremony was a valuable experience.
彼は師匠の講演にいつも陪聴し、学びを深めていた。
Kare wa shishō no kōen ni itsumo baichō shi, manabi o fukameteita.
He always attended his master's lectures and deepened his learning.
封建時代には、陪臣が多く存在しました。
Hōken jidai ni wa, baishin ga ooku sonzai shimashita.
During the feudal era, many sub-vassals existed.
現代の日本では、裁判員制度が陪審制度に近い役割を果たしています。
Gendai no Nihon de wa, saiban'in seido ga baishin seido ni chikai yakuwari o hatashiteimasu.
In modern Japan, the lay judge system plays a role similar to the jury system.
重要な国際会議には、政府の高官が陪席者として参加することがあります。
Jūyō na kokusai kaigi ni wa, seifu no kōkan ga baiseki-sha to shite sanka suru koto ga arimasu.
High-ranking government officials sometimes participate as attendees in important international conferences.
Memory Tip
To remember 陪 (bai), visualize its components: 阜 (こざとへん), which represents a "hill" or "mound," and 咅 (ほう), which provides the sound "bai" and suggests "numerous" or "large." Imagine a group "accompanying" an important figure as they ascend a "hill" (阜) or gather around a significant "mound." These "numerous" (咅) people are "next to" or "attending" the central figure. Alternatively, consider someone standing "next to" a hill (阜), offering their presence. The phonetic component 咅 itself contains 口 (kuchi - mouth) and 立 (tatsu - to stand). You could interpret this as "standing" with your "mouth" to "speak" or "listen" while "accompanying" someone up a "hill." This image solidifies the idea of being alongside and attending.