剛
剛·sturdy, strong
- On-yomi
- ゴウ
- Kun-yomi
- none
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 剛健 | ごうけん | vigorous and sturdy |
| 金剛 | こんごう | adamant, diamond (Buddhist term) |
| 剛直 | ごうちょく | upright and unbending |
| 外柔内剛 | がいじゅうないごう | gentle outside, firm inside |
Example sentences
この学校は質実剛健を校訓としている。
このがっこうはしつじつごうけんをこうくんとしている。
This school's motto is simplicity and sturdiness.
彼は見かけによらず外柔内剛の人だ。
かれはみかけによらずがいじゅうないごうのひとだ。
Despite appearances, he is gentle outside and tough inside.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
- 剛岡岡 alone is a hill (おか); add the knife 刂 on the right and it becomes 剛.
- 剛綱綱 (つな, rope) pairs the same 岡 with the thread radical 糸.
Common mistakes
- Reading 金剛 as きんごう — it is こんごう
- 剛 is not used alone in modern Japanese; it appears in stiff written compounds
Memory aid
Picture it
岡, a firm ridge of high ground, plus the knife 刂: hard enough to turn a blade.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 剛 mean?