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On'yomi
ケン
KEN
Kun'yomi
かた.い・-がた.い
katai / gatai

strict · hard · solid · tough · tight · reliable

Details

Strokes12
Frequency#1049
Radicalearth(3)

Stroke Order

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Strokes12

Component Breakdown

=

臤 + earth

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of hard and earth. Hard earth.

Symbolism

Solid, steady, hard. Represents firmness.

Words & Expressions

Four-Character Compounds

堅忍不抜

けんにんふばつ

indomitable perseverance; invincible fortitude; indomitable perseverance

志操堅固

しそうけんご

being faithful to one's principles; being of firm purpose and deep commitment; constancy; being faithful to one's principles

要害堅固

ようがいけんご

(a fortress being) impregnable; unassailable; (a fortress being) impregnable

意志堅固

いしけんご

strong determination; strong-willed; having strong will power; strong determination

堅白同異

けんぱくどうい

sophism; sophistry; quibbling; sophism

堅牢堅固

けんろうけんご

firm and solid; stout and durable; firm and solid

道心堅固

どうしんけんご

being of firm (unshakable) faith and strict practice; being of firm (unshakable) faith and strict practice

堅塞固塁

けんさいこるい

impregnable fortress; heavily guarded fort; impregnable fortress

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 堅 mean in Japanese?

堅 means strict, hard, solid, tough, tight, reliable.

How do you read 堅?

On'yomi: ケン (KEN). Kun'yomi: かた.い、-がた.い (katai, gatai).

How many strokes does 堅 have?

堅 has 12 strokes. Its radical is 土 (earth).

Is 堅 a good kanji for a tattoo?

Yes. 堅 (strict, hard, solid, tough, tight, reliable) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.

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