堅
堅·solid, firm
- On-yomi
- ケン
- Kun-yomi
- かた(い)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 堅実 | けんじつ | steady, sound, dependable |
| 堅い | かたい | firm, solid, hard |
| 堅固 | けんご | firm, secure |
| 中堅 | ちゅうけん | mid-level, mainstay |
Example sentences
この木は堅くて切りにくい。
このきはかたくてきりにくい。
This wood is hard and difficult to cut.
彼は堅実な生き方を選んだ。
かれはけんじつないきかたをえらんだ。
He chose a steady way of living.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- 堅い, 固い and 硬い are all かたい — 堅 carries the 'dependable, not easily broken' sense (堅実)
- Reading 中堅 as ちゅうかた — it is ちゅうけん
Memory aid
Picture it
土 (earth) at the bottom with a hand pressing from above: packed earth that will not give way.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 堅 mean?