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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

    固有: inherent. The Japanese adjectival noun '固有 (こゆう)' means 'inherent' or 'intrinsic'. It refers to something that is innate, natural, or unique to a particular thing or situation. This word is often used to describe characteristics, properties, or qualities that are specific and essential to something. For example: This species has an inherent ability to adapt「この種は固有の適応能力を持っている」(このしゅはこゆうのてきおうのうりょくをもっている). The culture has its own inherent traditions「その文化には固有の伝統がある」(そのぶんかにはこゆうのでんとうがある). It can also be used in contexts like '固有の価値 (こゆうのかち)' (inherent value) or '固有の性質 (こゆうのせいしつ)' (intrinsic nature).

    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:

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.