Meaning
The kanji 位 means rank, position, place, or grade. Wherever Japanese describes where something or someone stands — socially, numerically, or physically — 位 is likely close by. Sports scoreboards display 順位 (rankings); university transcripts list 単位 (academic credits); compass roses show 方位 (directions).
位 splits into two components: the left radical 亻 (ninben, a compressed form of 人, meaning "person") and the right component 立 ("to stand"). Together they depict a person standing in a fixed spot — someone occupying a specific rank or place in the order of things.
Grade 4 on the Joyo list, 位 is typically taught around age 9–10. It has 7 strokes and falls under the 人 (person) radical. At N2 level, expect to meet it not just in reading passages but in formal and semi-formal writing: social hierarchies, institutional rank, academic units, and compass bearings all call on this kanji.
One detail worth noting: the kun'yomi くらい／ぐらい doubles as an approximation suffix meaning "about" or "around." 三時間くらい means "about three hours." A kanji that covers both strict ranking and loose estimation has a wider reach than it first appears.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi is イ (i), used in most compound words and formal writing. It appears in academic, professional, and official contexts far more often than the kun'yomi.
- 地位 (chii) — social position, status. 高い地位 means a high-ranking position.
- 単位 (tan'i) — unit of measurement or academic credit. University students track these every semester.
- 順位 (jun'i) — ranking, placement. Common in sports results and exam scores.
- 方位 (hōi) — compass direction or bearing.
- 即位 (sokui) — accession to the throne, enthronement.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi くらい (kurai) and its voiced variant ぐらい (gurai) appear when 位 stands alone or acts as a suffix. These serve two quite different roles: marking rank or grade on one hand, and signaling approximation on the other.
- 位 (kurai) — rank, grade (shogi piece ranks, noble titles). 王位 (ōi) is "the throne" or "the rank of king."
- 〜くらい / 〜ぐらい — about, approximately. 十分くらい means "about ten minutes." Extremely common in casual speech.
Common Words & Compounds
Key compound words featuring 位, grouped by theme.
Social Status & Hierarchy
- 地位 (chii) — social position, standing
- 高位 (kōi) — high rank, elevated position
- 上位 (jōi) — higher rank, top-ranked
- 下位 (kai) — lower rank, bottom-ranked
- 品位 (hin'i) — dignity, grace, quality of character
Rankings & Ordering
- 順位 (jun'i) — ranking, order of placement
- 第一位 (dai ichi i) — first place, number one
- 首位 (shui) — top spot, first place (especially in sports standings)
- 同位 (dōi) — same rank, equal standing
Measurement & Units
- 単位 (tan'i) — unit (academic credit or standard measure)
- 位置 (ichi) — position, location
- 方位 (hōi) — direction, compass bearing
Special Uses
- 即位 (sokui) — enthronement, accession to the throne
- 位牌 (ihai) — Buddhist memorial tablet (placed at family altars)
- 王位 (ōi) — the throne, the rank of king
Example Sentences
彼女は会社で高い地位に就いています。
Kanojo wa kaisha de takai chii ni tsuite imasu.
She holds a high-ranking position at the company.
大学を卒業するために、百二十単位が必要です。
Daigaku wo sotsugyou suru tame ni, hyakunijuu tan'i ga hitsuyou desu.
You need 120 academic credits to graduate from university.
駅まで歩いて十分くらいかかります。
Eki made aruite juppun kurai kakarimasu.
It takes about ten minutes to walk to the station.
試合の結果、わがチームは三位に入りました。
Shiai no kekka, waga chiimu wa san'i ni hairimashita.
As a result of the match, our team placed third.
この地図を見れば、方位が分かります。
Kono chizu wo mireba, hōi ga wakarimasu.
If you look at this map, you can tell the directions.
彼は社会的地位よりも自由を選んだ。
Kare wa shakaiteki chii yori mo jiyuu wo eranda.
He chose freedom over social status.
新しい王が即位する式典が行われた。
Atarashii ou ga sokui suru shikiten ga okonawareta.
A ceremony was held for the new king's accession to the throne.
日本の経済力は世界でも上位に位置する。
Nihon no keizairyoku wa sekai demo jōi ni ichi suru.
Japan's economic power ranks near the top in the world.
彼女は品位のある態度でお客様に接した。
Kanojo wa hin'i no aru taido de okyakusama ni sesshita.
She interacted with the customers in a dignified manner.
Memory Tip
亻 is a person; 立 means to stand. 位 is a person standing in their place. Think of a podium: each step puts someone at a specific 位. The same logic applies to an org chart, a shogi board, or an exam ranking — everyone occupies a slot, a tier, an assigned spot. When you see that ninben beside 立, read it as someone standing in their position.