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硬
On'yomi
コウ
KOU
Kun'yomi
かた.い
katai
stiff · hard
Details
Stroke Order
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Strokes12
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of stone and change. Even harder stone.
Symbolism
Hard, rigid, coin. Represents hardness.
Component Breakdown
硬=
石更
stone + 更
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
強硬手段
きょうこうしゅだん
tough measure; firm step; strong measure
硬軟自在
こうなんじざい
Hard or soft as needed; Adapting flexibly to circumstances
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 硬 mean in Japanese?
硬 means stiff, hard.
How do you read 硬?
On'yomi: コウ (KOU). Kun'yomi: かた.い (katai).
How many strokes does 硬 have?
硬 has 12 strokes. Its radical is 石 (stone).
Is 硬 a good kanji for a tattoo?
硬 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means stiff, hard. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.