背(せ)

せ
noun
height, stature, back
body-part
1. height, stature
How tall a person is.
背(せ)が高(たか)いですね。
You're tall, aren't you?
背(せ)が低(ひく)い。
To be short (in height).
背(せ)が伸(の)びた。
I grew taller.
兄(あに)より背(せ)が高(たか)い。
I'm taller than my older brother.
背(せ)の順(じゅん)に並(なら)ぶ。
Line up in order of height.
背(せ)はどのくらいですか。
How tall are you?
2. back (of body)
The rear part of the body.
背(せ)を伸(の)ばす。
To straighten one's back.
背中(せなか)が痛(いた)い。
My back hurts.
背(せ)を向(む)けた。
They turned their back.
背(せ)を押(お)してあげた。
I gave them a push (on their back).
椅子(いす)に座(すわ)っていたら背(せ)が痛(いた)くなった。
My back started hurting from sitting in a chair.

背(せ) refers to height/stature or the back of the body.

Height expressions

Back expressions

Related words

Common expressions

背(せ)に腹(はら)は代(か)えられない: necessity knows no law

Related Words

Related: 背中(せなか) (back (of body))
Related: 身長(しんちょう) (height (formal measurement))
Synonym: 背丈(せたけ) (stature)
Related: 背骨(せぼね) (spine)
basic
Added 2026.1.11 18:50 · Revised 2026.9.2 11:55
02500/02907_se