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What is the Kanji for 'Hard'? | 固

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Hard', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Hard' is 固.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hard

    Reading

    kunyomiかた

    kata

    onyomi

    ko

    Parts

    Box Old

    Example Word

    頑固: stubborn. The Japanese adjectival noun '頑固 (がんこ)' means 'stubborn'. It is used to describe someone who is unyielding or inflexible in their opinions, attitudes, or behavior. This word often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that the person is unreasonably resistant to change or compromise. For example: my grandfather is stubborn「私の祖父は頑固だ」(わたしのそふはがんこだ). He is too stubborn to admit his mistake「彼は間違いを認めるには頑固すぎる」(かれはまちがいをみとめるにはがんこすぎる). The term can also be used to describe objects or situations that are difficult to change or fix, such as a 'stubborn stain' (頑固な汚れ, がんこなよごれ).

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    8

    JLPT

    N2

    Grade

    4

    Frequency

    765

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    radical

    Meaning

    Box

    kanji

    Meaning

    Old

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of 3 other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Individual

    kanji

    Meaning

    Item, Counter for articles

    kanji

    Meaning

    To tie, Confinement

Words Using

This kanji is used in 8 words:

    word

    固い

    Meaning

    Hard

    word

    固定

    Meaning

    Fixation

    word

    固有

    Meaning

    Inherent

    word

    頑固

    Meaning

    Stubborn

    word

    固める

    Meaning

    Strengthen, Harden

    word

    固まり

    Meaning

    Lump

    word

    固より

    Meaning

    Originally, Naturally

    word

    固まる

    Meaning

    Solidify, Harden

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 8 kanji contain the part 囗 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Map

    kanji

    Meaning

    Trouble, Distress

    kanji

    Meaning

    Breathe out, Blow

    kanji

    Meaning

    Group, Association

    kanji

    Meaning

    Face, Surface

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sphere, Range

    kanji

    Meaning

    Prisoner, Criminal

    kanji

    Meaning

    Recite, Recital

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 6 kanji contain the part 古 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Suffer

    kanji

    Meaning

    Reside, Be

    kanji

    Meaning

    Reason, Deceased

    kanji

    Meaning

    Wither

    kanji

    Meaning

    Overcome

    kanji

    Meaning

    Receive

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 固 mean?

固 means 'Hard'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Fourth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N2 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.