字 Kanji Decipher

Meaning & readings

closed, shut

On’yomi ヘイ
Kun’yomi と.じる、と.ざす、し.める、し.まる、た.てる
Nanori へ

Origin

The character 閉 combines a gate (門) with 才, which represents something small or narrow. Together, these components depict the idea of a gate being closed or blocked off — when a gate is shut, it restricts passage and creates a barrier. The gate radical (門) is a common classifier in Japanese for characters related to doors, entrances, and closure, while the smaller element suggests the idea of something being confined or sealed. This visual combination captures the core meaning of being closed or shut.

閉 11 strokes

Components

  • 門 radical enclosure
  • 才 meaning part

Common words

  • 開閉 かいへい opening and shutting; opening and closing
  • 閉会 へいかい closure (of a ceremony, event, meeting, etc.)
  • 閉口 へいこう to be stumped; to be at a loss
  • 閉鎖 へいさ closing; closure
  • 閉塞 へいそく blockage; blockade
  • 閉店 へいてん closing up shop (for the day)
  • 閉幕 へいまく falling of the curtain
  • 幽閉 ゆうへい confinement; imprisonment

Related kanji

Same radical
Shares components

Reference

Strokes
11
Kangxi radical
169
Formation type
Compound ideographic (combined meanings)
Grade
Grade 6 (Kyōiku)
Frequency rank
#951 (newspapers)
Former JLPT
level 2
Unicode
U+09589