非~

ひ~ · hi~ · JLPT N2 · noun

anti

非 means not: 非法 = not legal = illegal; 非常 = not ordinary = extremely

非 is the root for not, so it adds the sense of anti or non to what follows: 非暴力 = not violence = nonviolent; 非正式 = not formal = informal.

非 — two opposing wings 羽-like form
Originally a pictograph showing two wings spread in opposite directions, symbolizing things facing away from each other. From this 'opposition' image came the meaning 'not' or 'wrong.' It is also used as a phonetic component in many characters like 排, 悲, and 罪.

More Japanese words · How Japanese works