Hard in Japanese

"hard" in Japanese, with the kanji that carry the meaning.

硬い

katai

硬stiff, hard+いnot in this dictionary

6 Japanese kanji carry the meaning "hard". The most common choice is shown first.

堅

Top pick

strict, hard, solid, tough, tight, reliable

Reading: ken

12 strokes

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Where it comes from

Composed of hard and earth. Hard earth.

What it carries

Solid, steady, hard. Represents firmness.

Related kanji for "hard"

硬

hard

kou

Composed of stone and change. Even harder stone.

Details →緊

hard

kin

Composed of hard and thread. Tightening thread firmly.

Details →確

hard

kaku

Composed of stone and phonetic. Sure like stone.

Details →窮

hard up(also: destitute, suffer, perplexed)

kyuu · dark

Composed of hole and body. Body stuck in hole, troubled.

Details →蛇

hard drinker(also: snake, serpent)

ja

Composed of insect and it. Insect-like creature.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Japanese kanji for hard?

The most common kanji for "hard" is 堅, read as ken. It means strict, hard, solid. Related kanji: 硬 (hard), 緊 (hard), 確 (hard), 窮 (hard up), 蛇 (hard drinker).

How many strokes does 堅 have?

堅 has 12 strokes.