Skip to content
道Nihongo Path
固

固·harden, firm, solid

On-yomi
コ
Kun-yomi
かた(い)かた(める)かた(まる)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
固いかたいhard, firm, stiff
固定こていfixing in place, fixed
頑固がんこstubborn
固めるかためるto harden, to make firm

Example sentences

  1. このパンは固いですね。

    このパンはかたいですね。

    This bread is hard, isn't it?

  2. 棚を壁に固定してください。

    たなをかべにこていしてください。

    Please fix the shelf to the wall.

  3. 祖父は頑固だが、やさしい人だ。

    そふはがんこだが、やさしいひとだ。

    My grandfather is stubborn, but he is a kind man.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 頑固 as がんご instead of がんこ
  • Confusing 固い (hard, solid) with 硬い (rigid) and 堅い (sturdy, reliable)

Memory aid

Picture it

Something old (古) sealed inside a box (囗) — shut away long enough, it sets hard.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 3 of 5

What does the kanji 固 mean?